BALINGUP locals had the chance to speak directly to Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) representatives at a community meeting on Thursday afternoon.
About 60 people, including locals, shire representatives, police, DEC and Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) representatives and community liaison officers attended the meeting.
Locals questioned DEC Deputy Incident Controller Roger Armstrong about the dangers they faced and what precautions they could take.
One audience member said she had shone a torch last night, and seen fine ash everywhere.
“Fine white ash is not too much of a risk,” Mr Armstrong said. “It’s the embers you get within 500m of the fire that are dangerous.”
Resident Mike Armstrong asked what risks would be posed by an expected south-easterly wind on Friday.
“Anything out of the south is good,” Mr Armstrong said.
“Hopefully it will consolidate some lines, and anything from the south is cooler. I don’t want to create a false sense of security, but a southerly wind is not a bad thing.”
Residents praised the efforts of the volunteers and agencies in fighting the fire.