Get fire ready for summer season

WA's South West is being urged to prepare for a long and tough bushfire season, as lack of rainfall, soil dryness and high fuel loads have resulted in an increased fire risk prediction.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services South Coastal superintendent Greg Feeney said everyone should be aware of the threat of fire, particularly residents who live in areas on the rural-urban fringe such as Baldivis and bushland areas in Kwinana.

"If you live or travel near bush, you are at risk of bushfire," he said.

"All it takes is one very hot, windy day for devastation to occur."

Mr Feeney said families should have a bushfire survival plan and prepare their properties by pruning back trees, cutting long grass and clearing gutters.

"Suburban residents who do not live in direct contact with bush should still take note, as ember attack is the most common way houses are destroyed during a bushfire and embers can be carried by the wind," he said. The City of Rockingham has been busy preparing for the upcoming fire season and Mayor Barry Sammels said last season was the busiest bushfire season ever recorded in the city.

"The City's two volunteer bushfire brigades attended nearly 200 incidents during summer last year," he said.

"We are conducting fuel reduction burns up to November 30, and all prescribed burns to date have been successful, with no fires becoming uncontrolled."

Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said volunteer bushfire brigades have completed off-season training and maintenance in preparation for summer.

"Last year both career and volunteer fire services attended to more than 650 emergency calls for help from within the boundaries of the City," she said.

She said prescribed burns were carried out under supervision along road verges, on and around reserves that might be located near homes.