Capel: Firefighter being treated in hospital for burns after fighting blaze on Tuesday afternoon

A firefighter is being treated in hospital with burns after an out-of-control fire erupted in a wheat crop near Donnybrook.

The male firefighter, aged in his 50s, suffered burns to the side of his head, neck and hands when responding to a blaze at a property near Cain Road, in The Plains, after 11.30am on Tuesday.

A St John WA spokeswoman said crews were called to reports of an incident involving the two firefighters before one of them was discovered with non-life-threatening injuries.

It is understood the pair were in a firetruck when the wind changed, fanning flames towards them.

Only one of the firefighters suffered burns. The other escaped serious injury.

The RAC rescue helicopter was initially sent to the scene before it was later stood down. The injured firefighter is being taken to Bunbury Regional Hospital for treatment.

An advice alert has been issued for the area, with the Shire of Capel claiming the cause of the blaze was accidentally set during a crop harvest.

Chief bushfire control officer Chris Scott said the strong winds had made conditions hard for firefighters.

“If the wind changes direction you got two seconds before you can get anywhere,” he said.

The blaze is both contained and under control, with people in the area urged to monitor their surroundings in case conditions change.