Home

Amelup fire truck on standby to boost bushfire response near Stirling Range

Headshot of Sarah Makse
Sarah MakseAlbany Advertiser
Gnowangerup volunteers at the Stirling Range bushfires last year.
Camera IconGnowangerup volunteers at the Stirling Range bushfires last year. Credit: Evan Collis

A 2000-litre light tanker fire truck will be stationed in Amelup this bushfire season to bolster protection for properties near the Stirling Range.

The four-wheel-drive truck is parked on a property in Amelup, about 9km north of the Stirling Range National Park, ready to be accessed by local volunteers in the event of an emergency.

December will mark a year since devastating blazes tore through the biodiversity hotspot destroying more than 40,000ha of bush.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Great Southern Superintendent Wayne Green, pictured, said fire trucks were rotated around WA in response to bushfire risks, which could be heightened during harvest.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Great Southern Superintendent Wayne Green.
Camera IconDepartment of Fire and Emergency Services Great Southern Superintendent Wayne Green. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser

An additional five fire trucks are expected to be deployed to the Great Southern this summer once the bushfire season winds down in the State’s north.

“It gives the Shire of Gnowangerup more coverage,” he said.

“They’ve got quite a large volunteer base and only a certain amount of resources within their Shire.

“After the Stirlings it really highlighted to them as a local government, that they needed some more resources.

“They have now started submitting some requests for permanent vehicles to be built and added to their current fleet.”

Mr Green said although a fleet of private vehicles helped local farmers respond to bushfires, having a truck stationed in Amelup would be an asset to the community.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails