SW fuel loads cause for fire concern

Quindalup, Yallingup and Dunsborough fuel loads have been highlighted as some of the worst in the region posing the threat of a bushfire emergency.

City of Busselton chief bushfire control officer Allan Guthrie said there were certain areas that had "extreme" fuel loads and were of concern.

He said properties along Commonage Road had some of the highest fuel loads. "Some parts of the region are at a lot of risk with extreme fuel loads," he said.

"In the Yallingup and Dunsborough areas and near Commonage Road, the fuel loads are getting quite high, because people haven't cleaned up their properties."

Vasse MLA Libby Mettam, in a letter to the editor in the _Times _ last week, said the Capes region needed to learn from the fires in Waroona and Yarloop and be prepared this bushfire season.

"The ability for the Department of Parks and Wildlife to conduct prescribed burns and for landowners to clear fire breaks on their own property is critical to ensuring that other naturally occurring bushfire does not become a major catastrophe in the Vasse electorate," she wrote.

"In the South West the annual prescribed burning target is approximately 200,000ha of bushland, located primarily in State forest and national parks.

"Unfortunately less than half of this target is ever reached.

"Having prescribed burns delayed by community concerns over the amount of smoke in the air is unacceptable in today's environment, as is having local councils fine landowners for clearing regrowth or installing large firebreaks."

Department of Fire and Emergency Services lower South West Superintendent John Tillman said at the bare minimum, landowners should be following the local government firebreak and fuel reduction regulations.

"We recommend people make themselves familiar (with the regulations) through guidance by their local government or by DFES and prepare, act, survive," he said.

"Make a plan whether you will stay and fight or leave, and have a backup plan if you can't leave.

"Join your local bushfire brigade to help you prepare yourself and understand the network and how you can help protect your own property."

Visit www.areyouready.com.au for more information.