‘We need to stay vigilant’ Waroona fire chief warns as fire restrictions extended indefinitely

In the weeks before fires tore through bushland north of Waroona, fire chief Steve Thomas was already preparing to extend fire restrictions for the shire. After the chaos of the Nanga Brook bushfires Mr Thomas said burning will be prohibited until conditions improved.

Prohibited burning was scheduled to end on April 1, rolling into a restricted period of burning where permits are required.

However, with the ongoing dry spell, Mr Thomas said burning will remain prohibited until there is significant rainfall.

“We will be extending it 14 days at a time at this stage and we believe there will be further extensions until we get substantial rain,” he said.

“It is just too dangerous to light up until such time as we get some moisture in the ground.”

Mr Thomas said the most recent fires prove why it was so important the restrictions remain in place and the community stayed vigilant to the fire risk.

Reflecting on the fires that have kept Mr Thomas inundated this past week, he expressed his immense gratitude to all the volunteers and workers from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our local authorities within Waroona,” he said.

He also highlighted the effort of the local volunteer bushfire brigades from Waroona West, Lake Clifton and Preston Beach.

Mr Thomas said their support had been invaluable.

For more information about fire restrictions, visit the Shire of Waroona’s website.