Hot and dry conditions have again kept Western Australian fire crews on high alert as they deal with several bushfires across the state. A number of properties were lost or badly damaged in two fires, which threatened lives and homes on the outskirts of Perth.
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00:00 From a backyard to charred bushland, the fire came within metres of Ben Van Veersen's property
00:07 in North Dandelup, south of Perth.
00:09 That had it taken. Could have lost the tank.
00:13 He wasn't there, but his home was saved after a tradie turned on the sprinklers.
00:17 Scared and relieved at the same time because I got away with it and hopefully it's three
00:22 or four years before it can never happen again. And I won't let it happen again because I'm
00:26 going to put a big break around the house.
00:28 The bushfire tore through the countryside at more than two kilometres an hour at its
00:32 peak on Friday.
00:37 Two unoccupied properties on a mine site were destroyed and many other homes were threatened.
00:42 Only a couple of metres away from those properties and again it's the great work of the crews
00:46 and perhaps a little bit of preparedness from those homeowners as well as a little bit of
00:49 luck that's probably saved the day.
00:51 Shane Rowley's family rushed in to save horses on nearby farms.
00:55 You do what you have to do. It's as simple as that. There are no heroes. They're just
01:00 doing what everyone else was doing.
01:02 A separate fire in Parkerville destroyed three homes on Thursday.
01:06 The threat is far from over, with hot conditions forecast over the next two days and fire authorities
01:12 again urging residents to make sure they have a bushfire plan in place.
01:16 Keysbrook resident Sue Mead knew exactly what to do.
01:20 This is the set of sprinklers that I had on yesterday in case the fire changed.
01:28 The former volunteer firefighter, who has lived in the area all her life, also has a
01:33 firefighting unit with a tank and pump ready to go.
01:37 I would stay and defend because I've got four pet sheep that are my life. If it's ridiculous
01:43 to stay I'll go, but I'll try and take my pet sheep with me.
01:48 Not everyone is as prepared as Sue Mead, but authorities say taking a few minutes to review
01:53 or create a plan could save lives in what is predicted to be a dangerous bushfire season.
01:58 [BLANK_AUDIO]