Protection zones the key to bushfires
Daniel Bremer knows all too well the cost of complacency when it comes to bushfire management.
The Bedfordale Bushfire Ready Group co-ordinator and volunteer firefighter says preparing your home for bushfires makes a world of difference to firefighters.
"We have to prioritise between which houses are saveable and which are not - the ones that are prepared are saveable in those real dire situations," he said.
"Anyone who is not prepared puts the whole street at risk. Part of the preparation is to try and get the whole community involved."
Bushfire planning and management is widely discussed at the Bushfire Ready Group's regular meetings.
"In our area we really try to push the Bushfire Ready program. That is one of the reasons we think we've never had a major bushfire in Bedfordale, because so many of us are quite prepared," Mr Bremer said.
He said residents in fire-prone areas should be maintaining protection zones around their homes.
"It's about trying to eliminate any access for embers to get in so the fire doesn't spread easily. It is potentially the difference between losing and keeping your house."
Mr Bremer prepared his property this month, weeding the gardens and clearing the gutters.
The State Government is encouraging these measures as part of its Are You Ready? bushfire campaign.
Information can be found at areyouready.wa.gov.au
