Mid West records rise in overall fires last year, but drop in the number of arson cases

The number of blazes Mid West firefighters were forced to deal with in 2005 rose, with more than one in five deemed deliberately lit or suspicious.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services figures reveal that 770 fires occurred across the Mid West region last year, including bushfires, structural and rubbish or vehicle fires. Of these, 167 were suspicious or deliberately lit.

While the total number of fires had increased, the figures show a drop in intentionally lit fires compared to previous years.

In 2024, 215 out of a total of 662 fires in the Mid West region were deliberately lit, meaning almost a third of all fires that year were a result of arson.

In 2023, 176 fires out of a total of 626 in the Mid West were deliberately lit.

DFES Supt Midwest Gascoyne Mark Bowen spoke out about the risk posed by arson.

“Deliberately lit fires can destroy communities and livelihoods by threatening infrastructure, the environment and potentially costing lives,” he said.

“The fire in Waggrakine and Spalding that threatened hundreds of homes late last year proves it only takes one out of control fire to change your life forever.”

The fast-moving blaze in late November and early December left three homes uninhabitable and spread across Waggrakine, Moresby, Bluff Point, Spalding and Sunset Beach. Schools were closed as residents were forced to evacuate.

Police charged two 11-year-old boys with breach of duty over the fire and referred them to the Juvenile Justice Team.

The Mid West has experienced a heatwave this week, with temperatures in Geraldton reaching 47.1C on Tuesday and 45.7C on Wednesday. Especially in these extreme conditions, Supt Bowen encouraged the community to report any suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

“Our firefighters have had an extremely busy start to the year and do not need additional pressure because of careless decisions,” he said.