In a moment of hope amidst the devastation, volunteer firefighters in Western Australia have rescued two young kangaroos found hiding under a burnt-out tree in the wake of destructive bushfires.
A Surprising Discovery During Patrols
Volunteers from the Rockingham and Wanneroo Bush Fire Brigades were conducting patrols and mopping up operations near Boddington this week. The area was recently scorched by severe bushfires. While assessing the damage, the crew came across a heavily burnt tree. To their astonishment, they discovered two young joeys sheltering beneath it.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA (DFES) later reflected on the poignant find, stating, "It’s moments like this that quietly stay with you long after the fire is out."
The Rescue and Release of the Joey Pair
The firefighters immediately tended to the marsupials, offering them water from a bottle. The crew then carefully checked the joeys for any signs of burns or injuries. Fortunately, the animals appeared to have survived the inferno without serious harm.
After their brief check-up and drink, the two joeys were seen safely hopping away from the blackened area, returning to their changed habitat.
Fire Context and Ongoing Alerts
This rescue comes during a week of intense bushfire activity across Western Australia. In a separate incident, a 19-year-old man was arrested on Thursday after police alleged he threw a firecracker into dry grass just after midnight on New Year's Eve, igniting a blaze.
That fire, which firefighters initially struggled to control, prompted an emergency warning for residents in Maida Vale, Forrestfield, and Kalamunda around 6am. The threat level has since been downgraded to a 'watch and act' alert, with authorities urging people to stay vigilant.
A total fire ban remains in force for large areas of the state's south-west as conditions stay volatile.
