Walpole-Nornalup National Park bushfire: 76-year-old man charged over fire near Albany in Great Southern

A 76-year-old man has been charged for allegedly sparking a bushfire during a total fire ban in the Great Southern earlier this month. The man was charged with breach of duty on Tuesday following an investigation by Albany Detectives and officers from Strike Force Vulcan. Police will allege that, about 2.45pm on January 2, the 76-year-old man set fire to small pile of leaves and vegetation on a rural property in Bow Bridge — about an hour west of Albany — that he was helping to tidy up. There was a total fire ban in place at the time, and the man allegedly did not have permission to light a fire. Weather conditions on the day included strong gusts of wind and ranged between 32 to 34 degrees, allowing the fire to quickly spread and jump to a nearby river. A bushfire advice was issued for Bow Bridge and Peaceful Bay at 4.05pm on January 2 before it was upgraded to a watch and act level bushfire at 3.49am on January 3. It was later downgraded back to a bushfire advice at 6.01am, and that bushfire advice stayed in place until 8.51am on January 8. Over 300ha of bushland in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park was allegedly burned as a result, and placed properties at risk. Albany detective Sgt John Spence said all rural property owners should be reminded of the importance of safely managing fires and burn offs. “Total Fire Bans and other fire restrictions are put in place to ensure the community is protected from fires that are avoidable,” he said. “Even small fires can quickly get out of control and pose a significant risk to the community. “It is important anyone conducting a burn off, even if small in size, is only doing so when they are permitted, and take into account weather conditions.” Sgt Spence said it is critical to have a plan in the event a fire breaches an intended containment zone. “Fires can and do spread quickly so that initial response in the first few minutes can make a significant difference to the outcome,” he said. “There are serious penalties in place for people who conduct burns off when not permitted, or in circumstances that are dangerous to the community.” The 76-year-old man is due to appear in Albany Magistrates Court on February 6.