Fire front: Smoke and flames give the sky an eerie glow. Photo: Rick Russell
EVACUATIONS, smoke and fine ash all contributed to some tense days for locals in Balingup, last week.
Residents to the south east of Balingup were on high alert on Wednesday and Thursday, with the fire burning just five kilometres away and wind changes expected throughout both days.
The Balingup Nannup Road was closed to all traffic except residents choosing to leave.
Spring Gully Road resident Betty Guest said she and husband John had been fighting the fires around their property on Wednesday night.
They lost some fencing and half a paddock before a firebreak was put through the centre of the property, containing the fire at that end. Neighbour's paddocks and a hill on the south side of Spring Gully were lost.
Mrs Guest, who evacuated at 8.30pm with another woman, said fires were burning throughout the plantations and bush in the area.
She said the flames were burning 100 metres above the treetops.
"They roared so loudly. Now we're just waiting to see what the winds are going to do," she said.
Balingup resident Margie Miskimmin said on Thursday residents in her neighbourhood, off the Balingup-Nannup Road, were fireproofing their houses and preparing to leave.
Balingup resident Sana Turnock said the sky in Balingup was white on Wednesday.
The following day there was ash landing on her balcony and coming into the house.
She said she had packed her bags and was ready to go should it be necessary.
Locals had the chance to speak directly to Department of Enviro nment 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 representatives and community liaison officers attended the meeting.
Locals questioned DEC deputy incident controller Roger Arms trong about the dangers they faced and what precautions they could take.
