The following is from CALM:

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Cooler conditions in the south-west and great southern regions have reduced
the risk of breakaways from eight fires that burnt through thousands of
hectares of forest and farmland yesterday.

The Department of Conservation and Land Management worked on two fires in
the Perth Hills at Lesmurdie and Avon Valley, three fires near Collie, one
fire at Bridgetown, one south of Manjimup and one in the Stirling Range
National Park. All fires were held within containment lines overnight.

Departmental Duty Officer Alan Walker said the fire crews worked throughout
the night to contain the fires and the mild conditions forecasted will
assist relief fire fighters in a major mopping-up exercise over the next
few days

. Bridgetown Fire

A large fire near Bridgetown burnt around 4,500 hectares including jarrah
forest, farmland and tree plantations. One house on the outskirts of
Bridgetown was burnt and there are unconfirmed reports of losses of other
houses, sheds and farm buildings. Fences and stock were also lost in the fire.

Mr Walker said that the unique river valley topography around Bridgetown
might have saved the town from being overrun by fire. A southwesterly wind
change that was experienced across the south-west did not occur near
Bridgetown causing the headfire to bypass the town.

The WA Police Service with assistance from local SES officers evacuated a
small number of people to refuge areas in the town. Other residents who
were prepared to stay with their homes were encouraged to do so. Three CALM
fire fighters were admitted to the Bridgetown hospital suffering from smoke
inhalation.

CALM has sent in relief fire crews and Incident Control teams from as far
away as Geraldton and Jurien Bay to continue the mopping-up. Bush Fire
Brigade crews came from as far away as Waroona, Mandurah and Murray to
support the local crews.

The Local Emergency Recovery Plan has been activated to assist the
community to deal with property damage and injured stock.

Western Power is working to re-establish power in the Maranup Ford area and
areas to the south of Bridgetown. Many roads, including Brockman Highway,
Maranup Ford Rd, Mockerdillup Rd and Peninsula Rd remain closed and will be
reopened as fallen trees are removed. Major roads are expected to be open
by late this afternoon.

FESA has commenced investigations into the cause of the fire.

Tenterden/Stirling Range National Park Fire

A fire that burnt more than 20,000 hectares mostly on farmlands in the
Tenterden area has burnt into the western end of the Stirling Range
National Park. About 8,000 hectares of the park has been burnt and the fire
is now contained within existing tracks and areas of low fuel from previous
fires.

The western end of the park has been closed because of the danger of
burning trees along access roads. Mopping-up in the park is continuing
today, with nine CALM fire units from Albany and Narrogin.

Collie Fires

Three fires in the Collie area were contained by 6.00am this morning.
Eleven CALM trucks, four local brigade trucks and six heavy machines were
used to suppress the fires. Mr Walker said CALM crews would continue to use
the trucks and heavy machines in mopping up today.
===

Regards
Andrew
--
Aushiker: Hiking in Western Australia - http://aushiker.com
President - Perth Bushwalkers Club Inc - http://www.perthbushwalkers.asn.au
Official Gear Tester - http://www.backpackgeartest.org
ICQ N0. 38215599
Bibbulmun Track End to End - 2003


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