Rockingham residents warned to prepare early for bushfire season

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has warned Rockingham and Kwinana residents to prepare early for bushfires as the summer season approaches. DFES has launched its summer campaign with the My Bushfire Plan app and website to assist residents in creating a bushfire plan to protect homes and properties. Residents are being told to expect “challenging and unpredictable” weather with “extreme heat and windy conditions” for this year’s bushfire season. DFES reported that between December 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022, 1751 bushfires were reported across the State, burning more than 1.2 million hectares of land. A record 3528 bushfire warnings were issued in the past financial year. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said over the past year emergency services had faced incredible challenges to protect communities across the State. “We know the single biggest killer when it comes to bushfires is indecision, so we urge people to make their own bushfire plan, or update it, to keep their family and property safe,” he said. DFES Metropolitan South Coastal Superintendent Ray Buchan said having a bushfire plan in place would help people to plan ahead in the event of a fire emergency. “Having a clear plan in place with an understanding of what to do and where to go when in a fire emergency can be life-saving,” he said. “People can prepare by making there own essential equipment kits with batteries, a radio and torches; if you’re in a bushfire prone area, leaving this somewhere that is easy to grab and go will be very useful in an emergency.” Mr Buchan said being prepared and staying informed was the most important thing residents could do to this bushfire season. Visit https://mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au/ to create a bushfire plan.