The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an alert on Monday when a fire started near the intersection of Serpentine Road and Karnup Road in Baldivis.
Fifty career firefighters, bushfire service and volunteer fire and rescue service firefighters attended the scene as the blaze threatened to spread towards the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
Shire president John Erren said someone working in a paddock accidentally caused the fire near Serpentine Road.
“There were two homes threatened by the fire along with some livestock, fencing and livestock feed,” he said.
Mr Erren said in case of an emergency residents should have a plan, which indicated if they intended to stay and defend their property or leave.
“Your home should be prepared even if you plan to leave as firefighters have to quickly decide whether it’s defendable,” he said.
“A well prepared property is more likely to survive a bushfire even if no one is there to defend it.”
Oakford volunteer fire brigade captain Don Wright has 20 years experience fighting bushfires.
He said one of the most common mistakes people made was not cleaning the gutters and leaving until it was too late.
“People need to clean their gutters,” he said.
“The 20-metre barrier around their house shouldn’t have any trees or grasses. “They also need to decide if they are staying or going because if they leave it too late it will be difficult getting out especially with traffic road blocks in place.”
Mr Wright said it was important to have a bushfire plan.
“Part of this plan is to know if you are staying or leaving,” he said.
“If you aren’t confident fighting a bush fire than the best thing to do is leave.”
For more information visit emergency.wa.gov.au/prepare.
