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Early planning saves family home

Greg and Sharon Dunstan and their children Jason and Rebecah at their Stoneville property.

The Dunstan family knew what they would do if a bushfire ever burned close to their home.

Their plan to stay and defend became a terrifying reality in January but their knowledge and experience helped them keep their cool.

Greg Dunstan, his wife Sharon and daughter Rebecah, 17, were at their Stoneville home as the bushfire raged through the area.

The fire blackened 500ha and destroyed 57 homes.

Even with 22 years experience with bushfires, as a firefighter and now as a bushfire consultant, Mr Dunstan said there was little that could prepare them for the intensity of the experience.

"It was pretty full-on - the fire burned right around the house, so there was no natural vegetation around the house that didn't burn," he said.

"I had a ute with a trailer and tank on the back and I drove around putting out spot fires.

"I had a dust mask on and every now and then I was going back to the house. I kept moving around and staying hydrated."

Rebecah and Sharon stayed inside for the worst part of the fire, making sure Mr Dunstan had everything he needed.

"Afterwards when we talked about it we thought 'wow that was a bit more full-on than we had anticipated', but at the time we all had roles and were concentrating on putting our plan in place," Mr Dunstan said.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is encouraging people to have a bushfire plan.

Tips at areyouready.wa.gov.au