Fires still burning in Perth’s east

Fires still burning in Perth’s east

29 January 2007

published by www.theage.com.au


Australia — Western Australian firefighters are determined to mop up as many of the 31 fires across the state’s south as possible before hot weather returns later this week.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) crews and local volunteer bush fire brigades have been battling the blazes sparked by lightning strikes on Sunday night.

The DEC said the fires were at various stages of control but the rapid deployment of water bombers had restricted many to less than a hectare.

A fire at the Mundaring Weir, just east of Perth, has burned about 150 hectares of bush but is expected to be contained within state forest land, the DEC said.

Firefighters are also working to prevent on a 700 hectare fire at the Julimar Conservation Park, also just east of Perth, from invading private property after strong north-west winds swept the flames across containment lines.

A fire at Perth’s John Forrest National Park has been contained and another at Unicup, east of the southern town of Manjimup, has burned 70 hectares of bushland and is expected to be contained by nightfall (WDT), the DEC said.

DEC spokesman Roger Armstrong said the latest outbreaks increased the pressure on fire crews who had fought over the long weekend.

“We’re aiming to get as many of the day’s fires mopped up as soon as possible in the face of possible hot weather later in the week,” Mr Armstrong said.

No houses have been lost but there has been significant losses of livestock and equipment, farm infrastructure, outbuildings as well to damage to power lines, the DEC said.


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