BlazeAid teams headed for Denmark to help community rebuild after bushfires

BlazeAid volunteers will descend upon Denmark next week to help farmers repair their fences destroyed in the bushfire that tore through more than 2000 hectares last month. The bushfire started in thick bushland on February 4, putting the entire townsite on high alert and destroying four homes west of Denmark. The blaze also wiped out about 30km of fencing. Blazeaid teams will be wrapping up their work in Bridgetown before moving on to Denmark and setting up camp at the Denmark Recreation Centre from March 18. BlazeAid WA co-ordinator Judy Bland said they were in need of volunteers to help repair fences. “We’re hoping because Denmark is more of a tourist destination than Bridgetown that there might be people who are there on holiday or breaks that can offer a bit of time to BlazeAid for a day or even a week,” she said. “The volunteers come into the camp, they can either come in from local area and go home at night or they can stay at the camp while they volunteer. “From there the field co-ordinator will form the volunteers into suitable groups, generally with three to four people in a team.” BlazeAid was established in 2009 after the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria to help regional and rural Australians rebuild after natural disasters including floods, bushfires and cyclones. There will be seven “combat trailers” at the camp that are stocked with all the necessary tools, equipment and camping gear for volunteers to use while repairing the fences. The farmers will be required to provide their own fencing material while the volunteers will help fit and repair the fence lines. “As a general rule the farmer provides the fencing material and any machinery that’s likely to be needed like front end loaders,” Ms Bland said. “Anybody is welcome to come and assist as long as they organise it with the coordinator before they arrive and get there in the morning in time to sign up and listen to the safety talk. “While they are at the BlazeAid camp all of their food, tools and whatever is needed will be provided.” Volunteers will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and register before arrival at the camp. Fencing will start on March 21. To register, call Ed Blad on 0427 614 540.