Prescribed burn draws a crowd

Bunbury residents watched a spectacular sight on Tuesday when the Bunbury Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service lit a controlled burn on Irwin Street.

Residents surrounding the area gathered outside of their homes to watch the blaze as it burnt through a small nature reserve.

The 3.1 hectare area prescribed burn had been planned over several months.

City of Bunbury Community Law and Safety manager John Kowal said the controlled burn was done to reduce the fuel loads within the reserve.

‘‘There are other burns that are currently in the planning stages,’’ he said.

The burn was completed as part of other burns being conducted across the region.

It was done in partnership between the Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the City of Bunbury and members from Bunbury Volunteer Bushfire Brigade, Bunbury Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, and the Eaton-Australind Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service.