Photographer (and fireman) Russell Ord tells us about WA’s recent bush fires through words and photos.

What it has come to.

It was on Wednesday last week that a prescribed backburning operation by the Department of Environment and Conservation went horribly wrong. Things escalated quickly and the flames soon spread throughout the popular and picturesque holiday destination, devouring over 35 homes and among other things, Mark Visser’s Jet Ski (see pics below). So intense was the fire that in some areas it literally burnt everything in its path, only stopping when it reached the sand on the beach.

The once green hills of Margaret River all but gone.

Tracks Photographer, Russell Ord, who moonlights as a Fire Fighter to pay the bills, was one of those on the frontline trying to bring the blaze under control with limited resources, at one point all he had at his disposal was a watering can.. He managed to sneak his camera in with him and snap off the following images of the damage. We caught up with Russ late on Friday as he was preparing to head back out for another stint behind the hose.

In your opinion Russ, was the controlled burn a good idea?

A controlled burn is used regularly to reduce fuel loads to prevent the risk of bush fires. When it becomes an uncontrolled burn, or in this case a major bush fire with a huge amount of property loss, questions will certainly be asked. Hopefully the people that were affected get direct and truthful answers when that time comes. So, to answer your question, controlled burns are a good idea in the correct times with the correct number of staff to carry them out and manage/monitor them.

Have you been out every day fighting it?

My friend and work mate, Brad Cowan, got a call on Wednesday lunch time that his house was under threat, we both left work and just got into it from then on. He worked for 48hrs straight at least and saved several properties, with very limited resources. I managed a nanna-nap but haven’t worked like that for a while.

Eerie remnants.

Did many of the locals get involved in fighting it?

A lot of the locals are volunteers with certain brigades around the area, and everyone digs in deep. Plus everyone else lends a hand where they can.

Over 30 homes lost and no fatalities, that has to be a positive?

No deaths are always positive and it could’ve been a lot worse, but it really depends what you are comparing it to. No homes lost would have been a lot better but sometimes for different reasons that may not be achievable.

Just how bad is the damage in Margaret River?

The town itself looks fine, it’s just the homes along the coastal strip that copped the path of destruction.

Brad Cowan watches the fire as it heads toward his house.

Where has been worst hit?

Killcarnup, Prevelly, Gnarabup and Redgate.  It looks like a bomb has wiped it out.

Has anyone you know (including surfers etc…) lost their house or property?

Plenty mate, actually too many, it’s a tight community (I won’t mention names or supply photos that show the worst destruction directly, just because they still have to go in and see the damage for themselves).  Last night it was tough watching the homes in front of us getting burnt down, but we can only do so much without a truck or anything like that.

Any close calls?

Both Brad and myself have been in the job for years (Brad a lot longer than me the old bastard hahah) and it’s a very calculated approach on our behalf. Pete down the road did jump into the next-door neighbor’s pool with his scuba gear after he saved his and a few other homes – that’s amazing!

Matt and Pete Baldock and what’s left of their cruiser… Still smiling.

The area relies pretty heavily on tourism, how badly damaged is that infrastructure? Have any wineries burnt? Have people lost businesses?

Not sure on the wineries, no reports as yet. Hopefully people like a smoky red wine or ash white (sorry for my sense of humor), but I am sure accommodations, tradesman’s tools, studios etc … and plenty more were lost. It will effect the town for a long time.

How close to the surf did the fire come?

To the beach, it could not get any closer.

Is there anything people can do at the moment to help?

There are a lot of agencies in place to help, and also plenty of donations coming through, but I get the feeling crew that have lost homes will get plenty of help from their closest friends.

Anything else you think we should know?

I’m  sure there will be plenty of stories to come from the fires. My only wish is nothing gets swept under the carpet once it’s all said and done.

Motorbike – gone.

Big wave adventurer, Mark Visser’s jet ski safely stored, or so he thought.

Moonscape.

Burning the edges.

Brad’s house under threat.

Aerial attempt of a different kind.

Sad end for a classic old tractor.

All photos Russell Ord:

Note: For more from Russ go to his website HERE