Fire disaster prompts rethink on safety

New risk-management procedures will be introduced for events funded by the State Government after last year's Kimberley Ultramarathon, which ended in disaster when five competitors were engulfed by a bushfire.

Tourism WA chief executive Stephanie Buckland said an "additional layer of precaution" would be added to the approval process. Event organisers will be required to complete a risk-management plan that is approved by an independent expert.

The approved plan will need to be distributed to appropriate emergency services. Last September, competitors in the 100km ultramarathon were trapped in a gorge by the fire.

Two female runners, including Victorian Kate Sanderson, suffered life-threatening burns.