RAIN has proved both a help and a hindrance to fire crews battling a bushfire in the Blackboy Hollow area south-east of Prevelly.
The fire broke out on Saturday, and is believed to have escaped from a garden refuse burn on private property in the Wilderness subdivision.
Yesterday fire crews from the Department of Environment and Conservation continued to battle the southern boundary of the bushfire, which has razed about 350ha.
The fire has been contained but there are still unburnt pockets of bush.
Monday evening’s rain provided some respite from the unstable weather conditions but hampered fire crews’ efforts to burn out the vegetation remaining in the zone.
DEC incident controller Brad Commins said the fire posed no threat to private property yesterday, but had caused some tense moments in the previous 48 hours.
Augusta-Margaret River Shire’s chief bushfire control officer Cindy Pearce said the fire came within metres of homes in the beachside settlements.
Residents were asked to implement bushfire plans, and the Margaret River Cultural Centre was opened for those who chose to leave the area.
DEC assisted local brigades over the weekend but following an early morning thunderstorm the fire escaped over the southern boundary and the shire handed the incident over to DEC at 4am on Monday.
Two waterbombers were brought in to help fight the blaze.
Police doorknocked residences on the western side of Caves Road on Monday morning, but there were no immediate threats to private property and all roads in the area remained open.
The northern and north-eastern edges of the fire were contained against an area burnt in spring 2008, however, the southern edge is still unstable and flared up again early yesterday morning.
Fire crews will be burning out pockets of fuel between the fire and the containment lines and motorists are warned to take care and be aware of fire crews working in the area.
Prevelly resident Shelley Wightman was among those who chose to leave as fire threatened the beachside settlement on Saturday evening.
She was astounded at how quickly the bushfire took hold.
“I saw the smoke at about 4pm, by five o’clock the fire was on the ridge,” Ms Wightman said.
Mark Wilcox, also of Prevelly, chose to stay and defend his home.
“It stopped just across the road, but the fireys had it under control,” Mr Wilcox said.
Many people have called The Mail praising emergency services for the great job they did in containing the blaze, but if anyone needed a message about the extreme fire risk the country is facing, this was it.
Augusta-Margaret River Shire bushfire control Cindy Pearce said while there was no serious property damage this time it was imperative that people prepare their properties before such an event.
“The fire went over the top of one house, where vegetation hadn’t been removed,” Ms Pearce said.
“Those people without alternative water and power sources should be thinking about relocating when fire threatens.” Sightseers posed another risk for firefighters battling the blaze on Saturday night.
“A lot of people wanted to see what was going on and getting in the firefighters’ way,” she said.
“We can’t concentrate on the job and keep sightseers safe as well.”
Bushfire update Wednesday, October 28.
Fire crews from the Department of Environment and Conservation are continuing to mop up around the perimeter and to consolidate boundaries.
DEC incident controller Brad Commins said the fire was being held within containment lines and did not pose a threat to private property and community assets today.
“There are several large pockets within the fire area that have not been burned,” Mr Commins said.
“Drizzle is forecast for later today and tomorrow which means it may not be until Friday that we can burn these pockets out.
“The risk of unburnt pockets is that they may contain smouldering logs which could cause the fire to flare up in the event of strong winds.
“This increases the chances of sparks being carried over containment lines and starting new fires.
“We’ll continue to monitor the situation and, if necessary, burn out the pockets on Friday.
“A waterbomber will be available to assist with the burning operation if required.”
“People should be aware that smoke from the burning out will be visible and that fire crews will be working in the area.”
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