Two Department of Environment and Conservation firefighters, one with burns to 60 per cent of her body, were flown to Perth last night after they suffered life-threatening injuries while fighting a fire at a private property near Albany.
The women, aged 45 and 24, had been tackling the blaze at the property near Two Peoples Bay with about 20 other firefighters when the incident happened about 3 p.m. yesterday.
The second woman, 24, is believed to have suffered burns to 40 per cent of her body.
Four other members of the group, which included DEC and volunteer firefighters, were injured and taken to Albany Hospital.
Fire and Emergency Services Authority State duty director Bruce Jones said early reports were that the firefighters had been caught when strong winds had changed direction.
Preliminary reports state that the firefighters were caught when strong winds caused the fire to suddenly change direction on a slope, Mr Jones said.
During the incident, two appliances were burnt out and three others sustained damage.
An investigation will now be undertaken and FESA fire investigators will work with police, DEC and the City of Albany to establish exactly what happened.
Two Royal Flying Doctor Service planes sent to Albany to transport the injured firefighters arrived at Jandakot Airport after 11pm last night.
The women were taken to Royal Perth Hospital. They are both in a critical condition.
A WA Country Health Service spokesman said two of the patients taken to Albany Hospital were discharged last night, while the other two were in a stable condition.
A DEC spokesman said at least four of the people involved were DEC staff and there was at least one volunteer.
He said the department had offered support to the families of the injured firefighters.
Our main concern is the welfare of our staff and their families, the spokesman said.
As to what exactly what has happened, we don't know.
Mr Jones said FESA had taken control of the fire, which started about 9.30am yesterday, from the City of Albany and would continue to work with the local government brigades to extinguish the blaze.
FESA said last night the bushfire, which was burning in an area next to pine plantations, was moving slowly in a north-easterly direction and was a small, controllable fire.
Two Peoples Bay Road and the nature reserve were closed last night.
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