Fatigue has begun to set in over uncontrolled bushfire ravaging WA’s South West coast for more than a month

Fatigue has begun to set in for an uncontained and uncontrolled bushfire which has now been ravaging Western Australia’s South West coastline for 33 days. The fire, burning near Windy Harbour and surrounding communities, was sparked by lightning in early February and has since burned through 40,000 hectares of bush. Tuesday morning, a Bushfire Watch and Act was still in place for people north of D’Entrecasteuax Road and Windy Harbour Road, west of Windy Harbour Road and south of the Summertime 4WD track in the Shire of Manjimup. There was also a Bushfire Watch and Act in place for people south of Double Bridge Road, west of Windy Harbour Road, north of the Summertime 4WD track and east of Ladhams Road. At the time of print there was no threat to lives or homes. Manjimup shire president Donelle Buegge said emergency personal remained positive but, the area was still an active fire zone and fatigue had started to set in. “It is very reliant on the wind and the changing conditions down there,” she said. “At the moment, they’re trying to contain it south of Summertime Track to keep it away from private property. “They’re doing their best to do that with backburning, firebreaks and heavy-duty machinery. “The wind is a bit concerning, but a lot of back burning and reinforcement of containment lines was done (this week) in preparation.” Ms Buegge said a specialist firefighting team was already in place to combat any potential threats to structures. “The area of the fire is getting bigger but it’s coastal land. It’s not impacting Northcliffe or Windy Harbour,” she said. More than 235 emergency services personnel are responding and strengthening containment lines across the area. “This has been going for a month and two days now, so we are very conscious of the fatigue, which is starting to kick in, not only with firefighters but definitely with the locals as well, and the people who are being impacted by the smoke,” Ms Buegge said. “We’re throwing everything at it.” Three culturally significant huts in the Windy Harbour area — which burned down 10 years ago in a fire — are the only structures to have come close to the flames so far. “A fire-retardant drop saved those buildings, otherwise they would have gone up in flames,” Ms Buegge said. Ms Buegge said several wildlife carers also held strong concerns for fauna and are prepared to act as soon as the area is safe to enter. “They are not entirely sure what to expect but are fully prepared — they are going to have animals coming into rehabilitation and they’re ready to go,” she said. A community liaison unit remains at the Northcliffe Visitor Centre and regular community information sessions continue to be held by the Shire of Manjimup.