Bushfires near Pemberton and Lake Muir in Shire of Manjimup burn through festive period

Firefighters in the Lower South West received no relief over the festive period with a pair of emergency-level bushfires emerging over the last two weeks of December in the Shire of Manjimup. As many as 130 firefighters spent more than a week battling a blaze between Northcliffe and Pemberton that started on December 19, while a fire that broke out near Lake Muir on Christmas Eve also required significant resources, including aerial support. The earlier fire started due to an accident on a private property near Tattenham Road in Meerup, breaking containment lines overnight on December 21. Difficult terrain meant much of the firefront could not be directly attacked by crews, who focused on strengthening containment lines and conducting backburning operations. A shed, tractor and some fencing were lost but no properties were damaged in the fire, which burnt through about 2500ha before being brought under control on Christmas Day. The Lake Muir fire started at the southern border of the Tordit-Gurrup Lagoon in Lake Muir Nature Reserve. The fire was not brought under control until December 28, but the emergency alert for the area never escalated past advice level. Shire of Manjimup president Donnelle Buegge said she was “so, so grateful” for the sustained efforts of firefighters while many people enjoyed a relaxing time with family and friends. “This was my first big rodeo, so to speak, and it opened my eyes to how professional and how quick the response is. It just astounded me, the resources that were pushed down here,” she said. “Our volunteer fireys are just incredible. The time that they give up, you just can’t thank them enough.” Both fires were managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service — part of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions — rather than the Department of Fire and Emergency Services because the Northcliffe fire quickly crossed into State forest and the Lake Muir fire was burning in a nature reserve.