Firefighters urge ‘fire-wise gardens’ to help protect against bushfire risk in Margaret River region
Local firefighters are encouraging residents to implement fire-wise planning into their home gardens in a bid to increase the region’s resilience to bushfire.
Amid ongoing warnings against complacency after what seemed like a wet winter, firefighters said the annual downpours had not undone the damage posed by last year’s heatwaves which left the native bush worryingly dry and sparse.
“The amount of inappropriate vegetation surrounding many houses in our region is scary,” a Wallcliffe Fire Services Brigade spokesperson said online.
“Having volatile bushes and branches surrounding your house during a bushfire is like stacking kindling around a bonfire.
“It’s not a question of if it will ignite, but when. If you live in bushfire-prone area like Margaret River, you need a fire-wise garden.”
Volunteer brigades have also hailed recent public interest from homeowners developing their own bushfire resilience, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has a new booklet outlining fire-wise garden principles.
A weekend workshop hosted by Wallcliffe was well-attended and came with a fresh message about the dangers of living in potential extreme bushfire-risk areas.
Volunteers stressed many coastal residents had yards and road access which could be difficult for brigades to access in an emergency.
Coastal residents could not be guaranteed brigade attendance during an emergency and were urged to have their bushfire-ready plans in place well before summer hit.
“The lack of rain last summer has had a big impact on the Margaret River region with thousands of dead trees and scrub-land resulting in elevated fire risk,” the spokesperson said.
“Unchecked fuel loads – dry vegetation, fallen branches, and thick undergrowth around your property – are the perfect tinder for a firestorm and ember attack that could destroy your home in a matter of minutes.
“Everyone needs to be using the next several weeks to be preparing their properties for the fast-approaching bushfire season.”
To get involved in the Bushfire Ready program, residents could contact Gordon Temby on 0419 954 658.
The garden is available from Wallcliffe as well as the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River offices or online at dfes.wa.gov.au.
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