Mid West volunteers step up to battle Perth Hills blaze frontline

More than two dozen volunteer firefighters from across the Mid West have put their hands up to help battle the massive bushfire razing homes and threatening lives in the Perth Hills this week. Since being sparked in Wooroloo in the Perth Hills on Monday, the blaze had destroyed 81 homes and a widespread emergency warning remained in place. Two teams of 15 volunteers and two support staff from Geraldton, Kalbarri, Dongara and the surrounding areas volunteered to be sent down to assist the 500 firefighters on the frontline trying to save lives and more homes. Department of Fire and Emergency Services Mid West Gascoyne region Superintendent Craig Smith said the first team went down Tuesday morning after an appeal for help was launched by local organisers the day before. “The second went down Wednesday and immediately got involved in the firefighting efforts,” he said. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, our volunteers are among the best in the country.” He said firefighters from the Mid West often volunteered their time across the State when the situation called for it. “A blaze of this size requires an extraordinary commitment of resources,” he said. More than 150 volunteers from across the State have been called in to assist local firefighting efforts. Supt Smith said the department was “incredibly grateful” people were ready and willing to put their hands up and help out in Perth. “The people of the Mid West can be proud of the efforts their local volunteers go to protect the State,” he said. About 11,000 hectares of land has been burnt with Perth firefighters expecting a tough battle to continue into the weekend. The overall warning zone has been expanded to include a huge section of the north-east metropolitan area. State authorities say Perth firefighters are beginning to fatigue and efforts are being made to evaluate bringing interstate support over. Volunteers from the Mid West are expected to return towards the end of the weekend after a five-day rotation in Perth.