A heartwarming moment of compassion has emerged from the devastation of a major bushfire in Western Australia's southwest, where volunteer firefighters paused their patrols to give life-saving water to a pair of joeys.
A Thirsty Discovery in the Burnt Landscape
While patrolling the active fireground at Boddington earlier this week, crews from the Wanneroo and Rockingham volunteer fire brigades made a poignant discovery. Sheltering under a fallen, burnt tree, they found two young kangaroos, seemingly stranded and in need of help.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) shared video of the encounter, which shows a firefighter carefully approaching the marsupials. He offers them a drink from a water bottle, which the parched joeys eagerly accept. The fire, which ignited on Christmas Day and forced residents to evacuate, has burnt through approximately 4,149 hectares of bushland.
From Emergency to Advice Alert
Following days of intense firefighting efforts, the threat level for the blaze has been reduced. As of the latest updates, the alert for the Boddington townsite has been downgraded to a Bushfire Advice.
This advice level applies to people in the area north of Pinjarra Williams Road and west of Bannister Marradong Road. It also covers zones north and west of the Boddington Goldmine in parts of Bannister, Marradong, and Wuraming. Authorities have confirmed that there is currently no threat to lives or homes.
A Moment That Stays With Crews
DFES captioned the uplifting video, noting that after their drink and a quick check, the kangaroos safely hopped away back into the bush. They added a reflective statement on the nature of firefighting: "It's moments like this that quietly stay with you long after the fire is out."
This small act of kindness highlights the multifaceted role emergency services play during natural disasters, where protecting life—both human and animal—remains the paramount concern. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of bushfires on Australia's native wildlife and the dedication of volunteer firefighters who work tirelessly to manage these crises.
