Four people were killed in Western Australia on Wednesday as massive wildfires ripped through the state, with fears for two others who are reportedly trapped.
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“Australians also applaud the courageous firefighters and SES workers in WA as they put their lives on the line to keep communities safe”.
“Sadly, police have confirmed four fatalities”, state Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Wayne Gregson said, adding that two women and two men, in two separate cars, died trying to escape the flames. The area is predominantly agricultural, and is known for its wheat crops.
“Four lives lost in this fire in Esperance, so as I said, the Federal Government is committed to providing the support that it does in these circumstances”.
He said the family had lost all of the farm’s machinery as well as houses.
The blazes broke out over the weekend in the coastal town of Esperance and are believed to have been a result of lightning, the BBC reports.
Mr Waters said 21 Telstra phone towers were now down and although emergency services were working on getting them restored, DFES main priority was ensuring the safety of the fire fighters.
Mr Bawden said weather conditions today were much more favourable than yesterday.
Nearly all the farming communities surrounding Esperance have been affected by the blazes.
GRAIN farmer and Neridup volunteer firefighter Mic Fels had a portent of how risky the fatal fires north of Esperance at Salmon Gums and Grass Patch could be.
“Some farmers were looking at their best year ever yields (this year)”, he said.
Life-threatening fires are still burning in the area, which is a few 700km south-east of Perth.
She said two fires – one at Cascade, northwest of Esperance and one at Merivale to the east – were still “uncontrolled and unconfined”, with the Cascade one posing the most danger.
I’ve spoken to the Justice Minister Michael Keenan who’s responsible for emergency response and I’ve also spoken to the Premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett and given them both, both Western Australians of course, our sympathy, but our solidarity as well.
Cash donations for fire victims can be made via the shire council which is planning on setting up a relief fund in coming days.
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Francis told ABC radio that it was a “terrible, tragic” start to the bushfire season.
