Great Southern’s top fire chief slams deliberately lit bushfires as the bushfire season rapidly approaches

The Great Southern’s top fire chief has lashed those starting the region’s suspicious and deliberately bushfires, saying there is “no excuse” for the “disgusting act”. “It just puts everyone at undue risk,” Department of Fire and Emergency Services Great Southern Supt Wayne Green said. “We’ve got enough risk in the State anyway with all the hazards we have to face, never mind deliberately lit fires on any day and once again putting our volunteers — and your own community members — at risk by doing these acts. “We’ve got much better things to be focusing on, and we’ve got enough natural causes of fire in our environment. “We don’t need those deliberately lit fires putting people at undue risk.” Mr Green urged the community to report any fire or smoke by phoning triple-0, and “don’t assume someone else has rung it”. “Be vigilant if you see a vehicle in an area that just doesn’t look right, or if you see a vehicle leaving an area that has got signs of smoke or fire — take note of it, because any bit of information can help police and the arson squad with their investigation,” he said. The beginning of 2024 was marked by the devastating fire that ripped through Vancouver Peninsula on January 29, threatening Camp Quaranup. It burnt more than 40ha and forced the evacuation of 16 people from the camp before emergency services brought it under control. Less than a fortnight later, another fire broke out near Green Range and Mettler in the early hours of February 7, razing 7339ha and threatening lives and homes. No homes were lost in the blaze but fencing, cropping country, private bush, and the Tinkelelup Nature Reserve were damaged as a result. Less than 24 hours later, firefighters rushed to a small but suspicious scrub fire in Lower King. On April 24, another suspiciously lit fire burnt more than 12,000ha of bushland in the Walpole Wilderness Area. On October 8, Elleker was put under a bushfire alert for more than a day after a suspicious fire was lit near the Lake Powell bird hide and burnt through 4.5ha. On Saturday, three people were charged with allegedly deliberately setting a stolen vehicle on fire, deep within bushland in Bayonet Head, triggering a bushfire advice for the area. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at crimestopperswa.com.au.