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Fire alert issued
for pastoralists
Pastoralists have been urged to remain vigilant and ready for action in the case of a bushfire emergency.
District Manager of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority in the Midwest Gascoyne South, Steve McDonald said that the high number of pastoral fires in the past month was an important reminder for pastoralists to ensure their properties, and especially their homesteads, were bushfire ready.
“Two months into the bushfire season and over four hundred thousand hectares have been burnt in the Pilbara, Midwest Gascoyne and Goldfields regions,” Mr McDonald said.
| Advised to protect properties |
“Fuel loads in the region are much higher this year and that means a challenging bushfire season for firefighters.”
He said pastoralists needed to be aware that during a bushfire, firefighters may not be able to protect all properties, especially when the location was dangerous and conditions were hot.
He said pastoralists who planned to defend their property needed to consider fuel reduction, firebreaks, water supplies and emergency supplies.
“Properties will often lose power and water which can make defending your home very difficult if contingencies haven’t been prepared,” Mr McDonald said.
“It is essential to clear a minimum 20 metre safety zone around your residence and infrastructure and remove any potential fire traps such as wood piles and fuel containers.”
President of the Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA), Rob Gillam said every pastoralist was well aware of how destructive bushfires could be, and needed to ensure their bushfire survival plan was up to date and ready for action.
“It’s also very important to have a plan for pets and livestock,” Mr Gillam said.
“Good preparation can mean the difference between your homestead surviving or not.”
More information is available from this PS News link.
Edition 121, 24 January 2012
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