‘It could happen again’ — Great Southern fire chief sounds alarm for Katanning on first day of bushfire season

The head of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in the Great Southern has three questions for Katanning residents: When will you leave? What will you take? Where will you go and how will you get there? As the State’s firefighting services gear up for bushfire season, DFES Great Southern Superintendent Wayne Green has warned Katanning to be prepared for another emergency after a fire shook the town in February. On February 8, a bushfire hit the western edge of Katanning, destroying one home and forcing the evacuation of residents. But thanks to the desperate efforts of firefighters the blaze was eventually brought under control, with DFES estimating 43 homes were saved. “That fuel load will be back again,” Supt Green said. “Paddock stubble was where the fire was making its run from and it will be available again. “We will always have fires in the landscape but people can better prepare their properties and themselves. “At the peak of these events, we don’t want people in the path of these fires so planning and preparedness is key. “Low fuel buffers, having good gardens and leaves in gutters removed — they make a difference in a house still standing in the case of a fire.” Supt Green said the experiences from February had helped with preparations for the summer of 2020-21. “There are always lessons to come out of these fires,” Supt Green said. “It really did scare the town and the firefighters did a great job saving the homes. “Things like better attendance from support agencies, utilising machinery resources better and having experienced machine operators. “Plus the learnings around using the large air tanker — it was the first time the region had used the large air tanker. “If we make the same mistakes this year we are not learning. “We need to avoid those mistakes, improve and that’s what our preparation this year is about — refining our response.” With summer holidays around the corner, Supt. Green said it was important to understand your environment and the threat posed by a bushfire. “Either at your house or at a camp site at the beach, everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings,” Supt Green said. “If it’s a catastrophic day, houses are not built to survive that. “Understand the fire danger ratings and if you are prepared, then you’ve got time to make clear decisions. “It is the same for people camping in the bush, on any elevated fire danger day, you need to have a bushfire plan.”