Working in up to 12-hour shifts, more than 200 volunteer firefighters tackled the fire before the Department for Environment and Conservation took control when fire crossed containment lines into DEC land to the south.

No people or property were harmed by the blaze, but about 50 locals and tourists were evacuated to the Cultural Centre as a safety precaution on Saturday evening.

The evacuation was co-ordinated by the Department for Child Protection, with support from Red Cross, local church groups, shire staff and the CWA.

The evacuees were allowed to return home later that night, but told to be prepared for another potential evacuation.

When burning off people are reminded that they now require a permit, available from their local Fire Control Officer, and to follow guidelines such as never leaving a fire unattended, checking the weather conditions, having at least two to three people in attendance and access to running water.

Shire president Ray Colyer urged all residents, rural and town, to take this as a warning to get their properties fire ready.

“As we have seen here this week, a fire can happen at any time, and as the risk increases moving into summer, it is vital that people take seriously their responsibility in preparing for the coming fire season,” Cr Colyer said.

To assist locals with their preparedness strategies, the shire in partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation and FESA will host a community information session early next month.

Anywone seeking immediate information on fire preparedness should visit www.fesa.wa.gov.au or phone 9323 9300.

The Local Emergency Management Group recently recently held a table top exercise testing arrangements to evacuate people from the Gnarabup/Prevelly area.

This had enabled a rapid response by emergency groups, while the Department for Child Protection had also held a scenario testing Welfare Plan Arrangements, including servicing of an evacuation centre.

Building on this progress to date, the shire in partnership with the LEMC has updated its emergency management arrangements, including recovery and evacuation plans and emergency contacts and resource lists.

The shire thanked all who had helped in the firefighting efforts.