An English gal in bushfire country...

WA is my home state. Since I moved here 8 years ago I have witnessed quite a few large bushfires - Margaret River, Perth Hills, Bullsbrook and of course in recent days the devastating fire in Waroona and Yarloop area.

I've not posted comments about the Waroona incident and its management on social media because I haven't been involved directly with it so feel uncomfortable making judgements or comments when I don't know the facts.

However, it did make me think about what personal observations I've made about bushfires and response to them since I've lived here:

1. Prevention is a two way street - yes you have to take responsibility for your patch of Oz as do relevant agencies and departments. Prevention requires partnership and collaboration

2. Prescribed burning is one preventative measure. It can only be undertaken in certain conditions and whilst I agree with reduction of fuel loads, there are many factors that are taken into account to decide which parts can burn and in what order - it isn't as clear cut as I first thought

3. Alerts can only help you once information is confirmed by agencies on the ground - personal senses are the best indicator of what is going on around you in your community. If a fire is raging near you - be on the alert.

4. Just leave - better to be alive than dead

5. You may be on your own fighting the fire - only so many firefighters and resources to fight the fire!

6. Power and water are not given resources - even in suburbia never mind in rural communities. Have your own independent supply if you can

7. If Mother Nature decides to unleash hell nothing will help you - just pray you survive

8. People will help communities recover as best they can

9. In major incidents there will be stuff ups - its human nature. Learn and make sure the same mistake doesn't happen twice

10. Communication needs to be from a variety of sources - it is often disrupted

11. You can guarantee people will put 110% into saving you or your home if they can do it - both Career FRS and Volunteers will do everything they can

12. Recovery both personally and as a community will take a while - have patience with yourself and others

13. In a major incident there will be some questions that need answering

14. Not everyone is a good incident commander

15. It will happen again - the only thing that can change is the response to it

16. It can happen in the suburbs

17. There are many people behind the scenes who work hard during a bushfire - it is a team effort

18. There will be many people helping as much as they can during response and recovery phases

19. Bushfires move fast - very fast ! especially up hill...

20. Embers are dangerous little buggers - keep your eye on them!

21. The smell of a bush fire when you drive through the area afterwards will stay with you

22. Animals will die and be seriously injured - but people will help them if possible

23. It may not bring out the best in certain people

24. Working together as a community is important

25. I'll make no comment about the media - except to say some help to raise awareness and facilitate important information, some just need help :/

26. Remember each person on the front line has a family sat at home worried about them too

27. People who have homes destroyed will lose precious memories and keepsakes that 'all the will in the world' will never be able to replace

None of the above is intended as a criticism of anyone or any decisions in the Waroona or other cases - just a list of lessons I have observed so far - I'm sure I will add or adapt the list the longer I live here and the more I learn.