Four dead as bushfires rage out of control

A bushfire emergency warning was also in place for people in the Stockyard Creek and Mullet Lakes areas around Esperance, with a fire contained but not controlled.

According to authorities, the deceased were found in the fire area of Grass Patch, Salmon Gums and surrounding areas in the Shire of Esperance.

The blazes broke out over the weekend in the coastal town of Esperance and are believed to have been a result of lightning, the BBC reports. Three buildings were destroyed.

Locals have told PerthNow that three German backpackers died in the blaze that also claimed the life of a farmer in the Scaddan-Salmon Gums region.

“There was an inland trough that brought hot, dry and windy conditions, creating these catastrophic fire conditions”, said Darryl Vink, forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).

Esperance Shire councillor Paul Griffiths said Mr Curnow was an important part of the community and someone who was always willing to help others.

DFES acting superintendent Craig Waters told the meeting 132,000 hectares of land had been destroyed in the Grass Patch-Salmon Gums blaze, and a further 15,000 hectares in Merivale.

Mr Warren said the fire had come at the worst possible time for growers – with many Esperance farmers expecting record grain crops – with most about one third to half way through harvest.

The North Cascade fire has burnt about 300,000 hectares and is burning out of control in a north-easterly direction.

“I’m very grateful for that decision”, Ms Campbell said.

“We were harvesting Tuesday morning and it was 38 degrees by 10am with a strong wind blowing”, Mr Fels said. “They got numerous fires out, but there were a few still burning, and they combined into an inferno”.

“I don’t think he had an enemy in the world, he was just a big hearted, fun-loving, generous guy”.

His home spared, Fels was planning to spend the rest of his day helping fight the fires still raging in the area.

She said the town hall had been completely flattened.

Another farmer, former Nationals WA president Colin de Grussa, was critical of phone coverage in the area.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes and the DFES warns people to either leave or get ready to actively defend.