SHIRE of Augusta Margaret River's chief bush fire control officer has been proud to see the community lend a huge helping hand to people impacted by the Northcliffe bushfire.
The ongoing support has been delivered to Northcliffe through our police, firefighters, state emergency service volunteers (SES), and equipment.
"It's often a significant undertaking to attend out-of-area fires with many taking time off work and travelling away from their families to defend people's lives and properties," chief officer David Holland said.
I'd seen a lot of smoke previously but up close this looked like an atom bomb against the hot blue sky... very confronting.
- Volunteer firefighter Natalie Ladyman on the Northcliffe fire.
Kudardup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade's Natalie Ladyman said attending Northcliffe last Wednesday was her first experience of "a really big fire".
She recounted her day on the scene.
"Just after 6am, our convoy of three large trucks, two small appliances and a firefighting chief left Karridale and headed to Northcliffe, about 150 kilometres.
"I was leader in a light tanker.
"It was already hot when we arrived. The small township looked like a ghost town with no residents to be seen.
"On arrival at the control point at Northcliffe Sports Oval, we had our sighting of an enormous, billowing smoke cloud.
"I'd seen a lot of smoke previously but up close this looked like an atom bomb against the hot blue sky... very confronting."
Ms Ladyman said a huge number of firefighting vehicles were lined up, including helicopters, along with the volunteer and professional firefighters, police and ambulance personnel.
"We were informed a wind change, which would blow the fires in the direction of the township, was expected mid afternoon."
Ms Ladyman mopped areas of forests and paddocks that were close to already-burnt areas, to prevent them igniting from the sparks.
"In our minds was the fact that the wind change would blow any sparks into unburnt forest and ignited bush which would likely burn towards the township," she said.
The eight-hour shift fighting fire in the heat took its toll and Ms Ladyman was exhausted when they clocked off at 5pm, though pleased they had stopped one little area of a massive fire front from igniting the forest.
Mr Holland reported Augusta-Margaret River has sent two trucks, two light tankers and a sector commander to each day shift since the fire started on January 30. This totals about seven people each day.
Assistance has been provided by bushfire and volunteer fire and rescue brigades from Cowaramup, Wallcliffe, Rosa Brook, Witchcliffe, Kudardup, Karridale, Molloy Island, Alexandra Bridge, East Augusta, Gracetown, Margaret River and Augusta, as well as the Augusta Margaret River State Emergency Services volunteers.
"It is practice to only send part of a brigade out of the area to ensure all local areas retain coverage in the event of a fire igniting within their base district," Mr Holland said.
He said Augusta-Margaret River's highly trained crews were well appreciated for their professionalism and assistance.
Augusta and Margaret River police have been assisting as required.
Margaret River police Sergeant Brett Cassidy said it has been a huge operation.
Sgt Cassidy reminded local community members to access reliable information about fires through the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.
In regards to people who posted incorrect information on the Margaret River Community Noticeboard page about an outdated Busselton fire, Sgt Cassidy said "it's not helpful but people will do what they do".
For information on fires and smoke, visit dfes.wa. gov.au.
