Emergency Services Minister John Kobelke has officially revoked the bush fire emergency period that was declared on February 5, 2007.
Emergency Services Minister John Kobelke has officially revoked the bush fire emergency period that was declared on February 5, 2007.
The revocation will take effect at 12 noon today.
Areas subject to the emergency period declared under the Bush Fires Act 1954, comprise the whole of the districts south of and including the Shires of Chapman Valley; Mullewa; Morawa; Perenjori; Dalwallinu; Mount Marshall; Yilgarn and Coolgardie; and the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.
In ending the declared emergency period, Mr Kobelke took the opportunity to thank the Western Australian community for its support.
"I want to place on record the appreciation of the WA Government for the high level of co-operation demonstrated by the community, industry, commerce and local government alike, during the bush fire emergency period," he said.
"This co-operation helped to limit the number of bush fires during the declaration period.
"Importantly, it has also given our hardworking fire crews a well deserved break from their arduous role in the field."
Mr Kobelke said that the hundreds of bush fires that had burnt across the State in past weeks had demanded a huge effort from the State's emergency services.
"Since Australia Day, the massive mobilisation of resources to bush fires has included 106 emergency service brigades, more than 550 Department of the Environment and Conservation personnel, more than 70 Forest Products Commission staff, 320 FESA career firefighters and 85 FESA staff, units from 37 local governments, 1000 volunteers and 400 fire appliances," the Minister said.
"Regrettably, some of the more significant incidents involved a tragic loss of life, as well as infrastructure damage and property and environmental loss.
"Without the remarkable response from our exceptional bush fire brigade volunteers, career and volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, DEC fire crews and State Emergency Service volunteers, the impact of these disasters on our community could have been far worse.
"We are not only extremely proud of the fantastic efforts of our volunteers - and support groups such as the Salvation Army and Country Women's Association - but also grateful for the understanding and support shown by their employers."
Mr Kobelke urged everyone in the community to remain vigilant and report suspicious fire-lighting behaviour.
"I want to remind the community that their assistance is still needed in helping to identify those who are deliberately lighting fires," he said.
"A substantial reward of up to $200,000 is available for members of the community providing information leading to a person or persons being convicted of arson for fires deliberately lit during the bush fire emergency period."
Mr Kobelke said a reward of $50,000 would continue to be available for such information on fires outside the bush fire emergency period.
