Three young Europeans who died in the Esperance bushfires were trying to save a horse when they perished. He was warning neighbours of the fast-moving fire when he was overcome by the flames on Tuesday.
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“I can also record that at this stage there are three houses or buildings unconfirmed as being lost in those fires around Esperance”, said Gregson.
Meanwhile, fire victim Kym “Freddy” Curnow has been remembered as a loving husband, adored father and an “irreplaceable mate”.
Smoke from the fires can be seen from Esperance where Castletown BP manager Kerri Greig said residents were on edge.
The fire is still burning out of control and moving slowly south-east along both sides of the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway.
Late yesterday 200 firefighters were working to build containment lines.
Another community meeting will be held at the Esperance Civic Centre at 6pm tonight.
Just 60km north of Esperance, the North Cascade fire was sparked by lightning strikes, and has ravaged over 300,000 hectares of land.
“The humidity too was very low. We were getting single digit humidity readings”.
Winds shifting from the north to the south-west brought colder temperatures from the ocean, he said.
“We have two vehicle controllers in place”, he said.
But Mr Bennett said there was concern over another thunderstorm later this week.
You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
Newly planted rows of trees can be seen in a fire effected area on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia, November 12, 2015.
“We did a risk assessment of the fire outside of Norseman and chose to do a run for it and get these people to safety in Norseman”.
Ms Campbell said everyone who lived in a rural setting should have a fire plan, because “it’s immensely helpful”.
In the meantime, primary schools in Scaddan, Grass Patch, Salmon Gums and Cascade will remain closed.
WA Premier Colin Barnett and Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis arrived in Esperance on Wednesday.
“She had a masters in human rights and I think she was 29-years-old”, Campbell said.
“This is going to have a massive impact on our community”.
Approximately 120,000 hectares have been burnt, with the fire still raging within a 250 kilometre perimeter.
Horizon Power said 489 customers in bushfire-affected areas were without power and it would be a few time before it was restored, while crews await an all-clear from DFES.
“We’re expecting much higher relative humidity and dew point today and much less wind speeds around 20 kilometre per hour, which should allow fire-fighters the opportunity to get around the head of the fire and then we can start mopping up over the next four or five days”.
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He said forensic officers had been out at Griggs Road, where the four were found in two vehicles, since last night and would likely be there until at least Sunday.
