Report finds WA firefighters put in danger

Firefighters and residents were put at risk last summer during the largest bushfire to hit Western Australia's southwest region in five decades because of a lack of resources.

The report into the blazes at Northcliffe and Boddington last January has revealed how tackling concurrent fires can dangerously stretch the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

It found "striking differences" in the responses to the fires, with notable gaps in the Boddington operation driven by inadequate resources in management.

It also highlighted an unco-ordinated operational response, poor management of crews and appliances, and insufficient community engagement.

"These breakdowns caused frustrations in operations and sometimes exposed firefighters and communities to higher levels of risk," the report said.

In comparison, the Northcliffe response was found to be well resourced and effectively managed.

Opposition spokeswoman for emergency services Margaret Quirk criticised the timing of the publication, warning that services have had no time to act on the recommendations ahead of the current fire season.

"Reading the report was like Groundhog Day. Unfortunately, the report's findings raised a number of issues highlighted in previous fire reviews," she said.

"We had been assured that these matters had been resolved, but clearly that is not the case."

Last year's bushfire season covered the largest area for any season in the southwest since 1960/1961, of which the Northcliffe and Boddington fires were the most significant.

The report said it reflected a trend of increasing risk of bushfires in the region because of climate change, high fuel loads and rising populations in rural urban areas.