Praise for our firies | Your Local Examiner
🔥 What happened
A bushfire on 9 February burned around 90 hectares of bushland in Serpentine Jarrahdale.
The fire started near Pruden Road and crossed South Western Highway.
Cause is suspected to involve a stolen vehicle, but WA Police are still investigating.
🚒 Response and containment
About 160 volunteer and career firefighters responded, supported by DFES, DBCA, WA Police, shire staff, and local landowners.
Their coordinated effort stopped the fire’s forward spread.
No loss of life or property occurred.
🌱 Recovery efforts
Recovery works have been completed:
Fencing replacement
Track repairs
Restoration of affected areas
Daily patrols continued until 16 February, when the incident was formally closed.
Early ecological recovery is visible, but a controlled burn is still required at Watkins Road Nature Reserve.
📢 Community concerns & shire responses
Alert systems
Emergency WA app provides loud preset alerts.
AusAlert, a new national warning system, is in testing and expected to launch October 2026.
Mobile coverage
Residents raised concerns about weak coverage.
The shire is advocating with telecommunications companies for improvements.
Evacuation centre location
Some questioned why the centre was in Byford (11 km away).
The shire explained that the Byford recreation centre was the most suitable based on information at the time.
Tonkin Highway Extension
The shire is working with the project team to ensure Emergency Access Ways are properly planned and integrated.
Fuel loads on verges
The shire only manages verges where public safety or infrastructure is affected.
Property owners are responsible for managing fuel loads on verges adjoining their land.
🧠Community education
The session also covered:
Bushfire plans
How to access emergency information
What to pack in an emergency kit
How the Emergency WA warning system works