Devastating Australian Wildfire poses new threat
Pastor Dale Morgan
Devastating Australian Wildfire poses new threat*
By Adam Gartrell
February 06, 2007 07:29pm
Article from: AAP
FIREFIGHTERS are working to stay in control of a large bushfire south of
Perth before predicted high temperatures and strong winds hit tomorrow.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) fire crews and
volunteer brigades today contained the 100km perimeter fire, which has
so far razed more than 13,000ha of forest and farmland.
The fire, which has been burning since the weekend, has destroyed 16
houses in the town of Dwellingup.
DEC spokesman Nigel Higgs said favourable conditions today helped crews
gain control of the fire.
"The fire's contained at this stage," Mr Higgs said.
"The winds have been lighter than yesterday, which helped."
Mr Higgs said crews were focused on the southern boundary of the fire,
burning about six kilometres from Waroona.
He said crews were relieved the heat tomorrow would be less severe than
originally thought, with temperatures predicted to be in the mid
thirties rather than the low forties.
"Those conditions will certainly be a lot more favourable than what we
previously understood," he said.
"It's a welcome development, but the danger is not over yet."
Other fires in and around Perth also have been contained, including
those in Forrestdale, Hope Valley and the now re-opened John Forrest
National Park, in Perth's south, at Mandurah, south of the city, and at
Yanchep, just north of Perth.
A indefinite bushfire emergency period has been declared for WA's south,
during which no fires can be lit without permission from Emergency
Services Minister John Kobelke.
Meanwhile, an investigation is continuing into the cause of a bushfire
at Toodyay, 85km northeast of Perth, in which 26-year-old school teacher
Michelle Mack was killed on Saturday.
Ms Mack died when her car rolled as she tried to escape the blaze and
she was thrown from the vehicle.
A preliminary investigation found the fire may have been sparked by
powerlines clashing in high winds.