Minister praises efforts of Great Southern fire fighters

29/12/2000

Emergency Services Minister Kevin Prince today praised the efforts of emergency services workers, volunteers and the police, who worked to contain 18 bushfires that had raged in the Albany-Mt Barker area over the past 36 hours.
"The fires extended from Esperance through the Fitzgerald, Cape Le Grand and Cape Arid national parks to Mt Barker, Two People's Bay and Albany," Mr Prince said.
"All available firefighters from volunteer bush fire brigades and the Fire and Rescue Service, as well as SES volunteers and CALM fire crews, worked through yesterday and last night to try to contain the fires and protect property and homes.
"Local crews were reinforced by a strong contingent of 32 additional fire fighting appliances from Perth, the South-West and the Mid-West, which travelled to Mt Barker and Albany, arriving late last night."
Mr Prince, who spent yesterday in Mt Barker as it was ringed by fire, today travelled through the region assessing the damage.
The Mt Barker fire went through the middle of the town-site and then doubled back on a wind change and burned two homes, outbuildings, property and vehicles.
"Extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures and strong winds, made fighting the fires a dangerous and terrifying experience," the Minister said.
"Given the number and ferocity of the fires, it is a miracle there were not serious injuries or deaths."
Mr Prince also praised the work of the water bomber pilots, saying their work in the 'flying camels' had been instrumental in averting the threat to homes from two fires burning on the outskirts of Albany.
"There has been significant pasture and crop loss - the fires burned more than 11,000ha of land across the Great Southern and the south coast," he said.
"Crews are mopping up today and working to contain those fires still burning."
Mr Prince said there had been excellent co-operation between all agencies and groups involved in fighting the fires, including the City of Albany and the Shire of Plantagenet.
"Only a high level of co-operation and communication ensures a safe outcome in a situation like the one faced yesterday by so many in this area," he said.
"This is particularly so when there is a need to evacuate people from facilities such as hospitals, as was the case in Mt Barker yesterday."
Mr Prince said it would take some days to accurately assess the total damage to property, crops and pasture.Media contact:
Caroline Lacy 9220 5000