Warning raised on lighting fires

Fire and emergency services have implored children and visiting campers to not light small fires, with several reportedly lit by teenagers in the Yalyalup area.

A prohibited burning period was extended for two weeks today with a burning permit required after March 15.

Busselton Volunteer Fire Rescue Lieutenant Mark Box said fires in Nannup this week show the severity of escalating prescribed burns and small fires.

“Small fires can escalate into a catastrophic fire in a short space of time,” he said.

“We would like to encourage the public to report fires as soon as possible so that we can get to emergencies before they escalate.”

Yalyalup resident Stacey McLeish said her husband Andrew caught several boys lighting a small fire in a ditch on Sunday before they escaped on bicycles.

“It’s a very silly thing to do in this hot weather especially with farmland and houses nearby,” she said. Mrs McLeish said it was the second time “in a few days” the couple had to extinguish smouldering fires in earthworks near their home.