Quick response contains Ruabon fire
Capes region fire authorities are on high alert after a bushfire which broke out in Ludlow on Wednesday posed a threat to lives and homes.
A bushfire advice remained in place for Ludlow, Ruabon and Tutunup residents yesterday, following the bushfire, which burnt through 6ha and damaged 300m of fencing.
FESA fire management officer Andy Thompson told the Times about 90 firefighters worked to contain the fire on both sides of Ludlow Hithergreen Road on Wednesday afternoon by installing fire breaks.
Two water bombers and the new Type 1 helicopter were also deployed.
“With the quick response and good turnout from volunteers, they were able to contain the fire and minimise the damage,” he said.
A bushfire watch-and-act issued at 3.30pm on Wednesday saw some residents evacuate their homes, Mr Thompson said, but they had since returned home.
Mr Thompson said crews stayed overnight until Thursday to make sure there was no reignition.
FESA is still investigating the cause of the fire, although it is not believed to be suspicious at this stage.
With scorching temperatures expected to extend through to Wednesday, Mr Thompson encouraged people to be well-prepared and take precautions to avoid any accidents.
People should avoid creating any open fires, welding, grinding or anything that might create a spark, he said.
Meanwhile, the City of Busselton has reported higher levels of compliance with bushfire prevention regulation, with less infringement notices reported to date this season.
City ranger and emergency services manager Tim Wall said 88 bushfire infringement notices had been issued since the start of the season on December 1.
The 2010-11 bushfire season saw 364 infringements issued between December 1 and June 30.
“We are pleased with the community’s level of compliance, but we do not want people to be complacent,” Mr Wall said.
“It’s important that people do the hard work around their properties early.”
He believed extensive community education and awareness campaigns were starting to resonate with the community.
“The fires in Margaret River reinforced the need to be prepared for bushfire and demonstrated how very real the threat can be,” he said.
