BUSSELTON could be looking down the barrel of a bushfire catastrophe if temperatures soar this summer.
High fuel loads, low rainfall and dry soil across the South West see the coming months as having "above normal fire potential."
A report from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre indicates the South West will experience worse than normal conditions.
City of Busselton chief bushfire control officer Allan Guthrie said late winter rainfall was down a bit on average and without large falls soon, summer could be dangerous.
"There is a large fuel load in the bush and it is growing bigger all the time," Mr Guthrie said.
"If we get a hot summer we are looking down the barrel of a repeat of [the massive bushfires in] Northcliffe or Margaret River."
WATCH: See how Northcliffe has recovered from February's inferno.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services country assistant commissioner Graham Swift said people could not afford to be naive about bushfires.
"Bushfires are an inevitable part of our landscape and can cause devastating destruction," he said.
"DFES is working hard to prepare for the bushfire season, but everyone needs to play their part and get their home and property ready."
Last month, a report released by Auditor General Colin Murphy said bushfire volunteers had a lack of training and equipment.
The report outlined concerns about volunteer fatigue and unavailable training.
Mr Guthrie said he did not share Mr Murphy's concerns for the Busselton volunteers.
"We have a large number of volunteers in Busselton and after the Margaret River bushfire in 2011 we have been particularly well trained and resourced," he said.
On Saturday the state government announced a $15.4 million crew protection project through the Royalties for Regions program.
Emergency Services minister Joe Francis said the new protection measures included external water deluge systems, in-cab air breathing systems and protection for vital equipment such as vehicle wiring, water and fuel lines.
"These new systems are part of an ongoing project that's providing a safer working environment for volunteer and career firefighters," he said.
Last week Member for Vasse Libby Mettam and Environment minister Albert Jacob met with members of the Yallingup fire crews to hear their concerns about the need for urgent fuel reduction in the South West.
Yallingup coastal fire control officer Paul Blight said there was strong community support for burns to take place.
"Burning in this coastal area is always a difficult process in that moisture content has to be just right to burn safely," he said.
"In the past the very small window of opportunity has been missed so we need to try and get it right."
Ms Mettam said the government would do all it can to protect local residents from the threat of bushfire.
"Yallingup Hill area around Caves House is a key site identified for fuel reduction burning and is a high priority for the department of Parks and Wildlife this spring," Ms Mettam said.
"As the local member for this region, I strongly support these strategic prescribed burns and encourage the community to get on board by ensuring their properties are safe."
Mr Guthrie said now is the time for land owners to consider how they will prepare their properties for the coming summer.
"At the end of the day, human life is more important than property and some places just cannot be saved on a hot day."
- City of Busselton chief bushfire control officer Allan Guthrie
"Private land owners need to increase the amount of prescribed burning they are doing - especially to reduce the fuel loads around their house," he said.
"It is not just those living on rural properties, people in urban areas need to lift their game to make life easier for the volunteers.
"A lot of people need to consider whether they will stay and defend or leave if a bushfire starts this summer.
"At the end of the day, human life is more important than property and some places just cannot be saved on a hot day."
On Tuesday the government announced applications are now open for Western Australian communities to apply for 'Are You Ready?' bushfire grants.
The grants are funded through the National Bushfire Mitigation Program and provide up to $50,000 for local communities to prepare for bushfires.
"Bushfires are an unavoidable part of the WA summer and it's essential everyone plays their part in reducing their bushfire risk," Emergency Services minister Joe Francis said.
"This year is no exception, with a tough bushfire season forecast for large parts of the South West.
"Building strong, resilient communities will minimise the destruction and devastation bushfires cause, and reduce the financial cost of recovery."
The grants are open to eligible local governments, fire brigades and emergency services organisations.
Applications close at 4pm on Monday October 26, 2015.
To apply for a grant, or to find out more information, visit the Department of Fire and Emergency Services website.
For a list of tips on how to best prepare for the coming bushfire season visit areyouready.wa.gov.au
