• Only 34 per cent of West Australians believe they are at risk of bushfire
  • The $1 million updated “I Am Fire” awareness campaign launched today
  • All West Australians are being urged to recognise bushfire risk at home or travelling

Just 34 per cent of West Australians have accepted that they are at risk of being affected by a bushfire despite the State being 90 per cent bushfire prone.

Survey results from last year’s awareness campaign also showed that only 18 per cent of households had made a bushfire plan.

Today Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan launched the updated “I Am Fire” bushfire advertising campaign to raise awareness about the many dangers of bushfire.

This year’s campaign highlights how far fire can travel by using well-known roads or areas in selected advertising to help people understand their own personal risk.

The campaign, which will feature on TV, radio, print, online and outdoor platforms, also demonstrates the effects of a bushfire and how fast it can travel.

To highlight the point that no-one can outrun a fire, one of the AFL’s fastest players West Coast Eagles player Jack ‘The Flash’ Petruccelle attempted to escape a “bushfire” at Optus Stadium today.

Petruccelle was chased around the stadium by vision of a fire travelling across the stadium’s LED displays at 25km/h before he was eventually caught by the “flames”.

This year’s innovative campaign will also specifically target messages to various parts of the State where, for example, bushfire awareness may be high, but individuals have still failed to adequately prepare themselves.

The campaign urges all West Australians to create a bushfire plan if they live in a bushfire-prone area, which can include parts of metropolitan Perth, or if they will be travelling to a high-risk bushfire-prone area.

Visit firechat.wa.gov.au to create a bushfire plan today.

Comments attributed to Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan:

“West Australians have to accept that bushfire risk is a real part of our lives.

“Whether we live in a high-risk bushfire-prone area or regularly visit one, we must appreciate that bushfires do occur as the weather heats up.

“Given what we have seen already in the Eastern States, no-one can afford to be complacent and think it won’t happen to them.

“These fires are getting bigger, running faster, lasting longer and can be unstoppable despite significant resources.

“Our climate is changing and there can never be a fire truck or firefighter on every street corner or a water bomber over every house.

“Individuals must have a plan in place now so they know exactly what they will do if there is a bushfire emergency.

“It’s concerning to hear that although 97 per cent of WA residents believe the State is at risk of bushfires, only 34 per cent believe they’re at personal risk of being affected by a bushfire and just 18 per cent have a bushfire plan.

“During a bushfire don’t wait for a knock at the door, phone call or text message, you must look after yourself and take action.

“Go to Firechat.wa.gov.au to create a bushfire plan today.”

https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2019/12/West-Australians-failing-to-recognise-bushfire-risk.aspx