Deadly Yarloop fire was unstoppable, says Premier

Colin Barnett believes the deadly Yarloop-Waroona bushfire was unstoppable, its severity made worse by a drying climate in WA’s South West.

The Premier made his first public comments on the disaster yesterday as he visited devastated Yarloop to announce the State’s worst bushfire since Dwellingup’s loss in 1961 would be reviewed by Euan Ferguson, a respected former Country Fire Authority boss in Victoria and South Australia.

YARLOOP FIRE DISASTER - FULL COVERAGE

Mr Barnett said Mr Ferguson would lead an inquiry with broad powers under the Public Sector Management Act, in the same terms as bushfire investigations run by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty, to examine the causes of the blaze, how it spread, and how it was fought.

In an address to about 100 Yarloop locals, gathered at the local bowling club as some houses continued to smoulder across town, the Premier also revealed former governor and Main Roads commissioner Ken Michael would be charged with leading the recovery and reconstruction.

“The scale of the devastation is quite shocking,” Mr Barnett said after visiting the ruins of one of WA’s most historic towns.

“The mood of people here, it’s a very sad and sobering moment. People have lost their homes, all of their possessions.

“Many — most, probably — are undecided about whether they want to return to Yarloop or live somewhere else. Indeed, there are issues about employment and the future of the town.

“The State Government recognises clearly the scale of this tragedy and our responsibility and the Commonwealth Government to do all that we can.”

Mr Ferguson’s inquiry is expected to take two to three months.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said he wanted it wrapped up quickly so any lessons could be implemented in time for next fire season.

While he and Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Wayne Gregson defended the firefighting effort, Mr Barnett described the fire as “unstoppable” and said he believed WA was more prone to bushfires than in the past due to a drying climate.

“I don’t know what the answer would have been to this fire,” he said. “Nothing could have stopped this fire. It was so intense. It had a perimeter of 400km. We haven’t had a catastrophe like this since the 1960s.”

Amid criticism of the firefighting effort, Mr Barnett told Yarloop locals he understood their anguish given the loss of life and property and urged them to make their views known to Mr Ferguson’s inquiry. “My view is there will be a Yarloop,” he said. “How large it will be, I don’t know. Talking to people today, some are totally determined to come back. Others don’t see a future. That will be a key part of Ken Michael’s role.”