Fuel loads renew debate on burn-offs
Premier Colin Barnett and Nationals leader Terry Redman have attacked resistance to forest burn programs, saying it contributed to the scale and intensity of the week-long emergency near Northcliffe.
Mr Redman, the local MP, said it was clear the fire's severity was linked to a failure to burn off and he would push in Cabinet for more prescribed burns that could prevent fire catastrophes.
He understood concerns about prescribed burns affecting businesses but it did not override the Government's responsibility to protect communities.
"The only fundamental way to protect the community down here is to have a level of prescribed burning that reduces the fuel loads to the point that they can deal with these sorts of fires," Mr Redman said.
He said no amount of firefighting resources could have stopped this week's blaze but a lack of resources and more people in remote areas had contributed to the problem.
"We are a little bit shaky on lighting up prescribed burns for fear of it getting away," he said. People needed to accept that might happen but if done regularly, bushfires could be dealt with.
Mr Barnett, who is expected in the fire zone today, said more prescribed burning could be done but there had been a lot of resistance.
He said people made a lifestyle choice to live in rural areas and needed to accept prescribed burning was important.
"Everyone understands the beauty of the forest and protecting it, but it is nature's way to have fires in WA - they have occurred over millions of years," Mr Barnett said.
"Our task is to protect towns."
Manjimup shire president Wade DeCampo said the 50-year fuel loads in the area were unacceptable and something should have been done.
Town protection burns were crucial but "mosaic burning" in the forest was the best way to stop a bushfire. "There's got to be a balance," Mr DeCampo said.
Residents at an emotional community meeting in Pemberton praised firefighters and criticised a lack of controlled burning.
They were told conditions had eased and Northcliffe residents could possibly return this afternoon. Late yesterday, the fire had burnt 85,000ha and the front towards Walpole was a concern.
