WA bushfires: investigators hone in on causes of four blazes that destroyed 60,000ha of agricultural land

Investigators have pinpointed the cause of two of four massive bushfires that wiped out more than 60,000ha of WA’s regional heartland in three days earlier this month — but they still don’t know what caused the others. The fire at Bridgetown, which destroyed 2206ha and threatened to wipe out the South West town, was sparked by a 30m tree falling on a power line, authorities confirmed Tuesday. Western Power said the power line was on a farm at Hester, about 9km northeast of Bridgetown, though the landowner was not at fault. “Investigations indicate that the Bridgetown fire was caused by a spark from a 30-metre tree falling on to a power line,” a Western Power spokesperson said. “The tree that fell was located within the road reserve adjacent to the (Hester) property and well beyond the vegetation clearance zone land occupiers are required to maintain around these powerlines.” The Department of Fire and Emergency services was less forthcoming but confirmed the fire was “accidental” and the result of “a tree branch falling on to electrical infrastructure”. The Bridgetown blaze was one of four major bushfires that simultaneously ripped through WA’s South West and Wheatbelt regions on the weekend of February 5 and 6, with fires also wreaking havoc in the Denmark, Narrogin and Corrigin areas. It was reported on February 5 and quickly got out of control, destroying one house and forcing the evacuation of Bridgetown Hospital’s emergency department. The blaze also destroyed infrastructure and equipment at Bridgetown’s Shire depot and waste facility, while hundreds of tonnes of treated timber went up in flames at a Hester timber treatment business. That led to the detection of high levels of arsenic and other toxins in the area, with Hester and Bridgetown residents told not to return to their homes while hazardous material workers removed toxic piles of ash and dust. The Corrigin fire — which started in Shackleton, about 58km to the north, and which destroyed 40,000ha — was also deemed accidental. DFES said the fire was believed to be caused by an authorised stubble burn off at a farm several days earlier, which “reignited during catastrophic fire conditions” on February 6. The Narrogin blaze — which also started on February 6, near the intersection of Williams-Kondinin Road and Armstrong Road in the Shire of Cuballing — laid waste to 18,173ha. DFES would not confirm Wickepin locals’ beliefs that the Narrogin fire was started by a power line sparking, saying only that the cause was “still being investigated”. The cause of the Denmark fire has not been determined, but DFES has deemed it was not suspicious. The Denmark blaze, which was reported on February 4, burnt through 2150ha and destroyed eight properties, including four homes. Across WA, thousands of livestock were also killed or had to be put down after being badly burnt in the fires. The number of reported livestock losses currently stands at 2200 head in the Narrogin and Wickepin area, 1000 head in Corrigin and Bruce Rock, 38 in Bridgetown and 32 in Denmark, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. At the time of going to print on Tuesday evening, Denmark, Bridgetown and Narrogin fires were “stationary, contained and under control” according to DFES. The Corrigin fire was stationary and burning within containment lines.