Residents affected by a devastating bushfire sweeping through the Waroona and Harvey shires face another day of uncertainty, with weather conditions looking likely to compound the emergency situation.
An emergency warning remains in place for Waroona, Harvey, and surrounding areas, including Yarloop, which is believed to have sustained serious damage overnight.
Anyone remaining in the affected area is in immediate danger.
Homes are under threat by fire at Preston Beach, Lake Clifton, Waroona, Cookernup and Yarloop.
It is not safe to leave these locations, excluding Lake Clifton, where it is safe to leave in a northerly direction along Old Coast Road.
For all other areas south of Riverdale Road, where it is safe to leave, leave if the way is clear in a southerly direction.
The fire has breached containment lines under influence of strong winds, life and asset protection is a priority.
Motorists are asked to avoid non essential travel through the area. If you must travel please ensure your petrol tank is full before you depart.
East to north easterly winds have commenced and are expected to increase in strength over the next few hours up to 55 km/hr.
The bushfire is moving fast in a south westerly direction.
The bushfire has crossed Forrest Highway near Peppermint Grove Road and Old Coast Road.
The fire has crossed South Western Highway near Yarloop.
It is out of control and unpredictable.
Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home. Spot fires are starting ahead of the fire.
Evacuation centres have been set up at Murray Leisure Centre and Leschenault Leisure Centre in Australind.
Residents are warned to exercise extreme caution driving through the area.
Anyone with a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
- A number of roads have been closed at the following locations:
- Old Coast Road between Lakeside Road until it becomes Forrest Highway, then closed to Myalup Beach Road
- Old Bunbury Road between Forrest Highway and South Western Highway
- South Western Highway between Greenlands Road and Harvey-Quindanning Road.
- Nanga Road - between Murray River bridge and Driver Road
- Uduc Road / Harvey Quindanning Road at South Western Highway
- Myalup Beach Road between Forrest Highway and Forestry Road
- Forestry Road between Forrest Highway and Uduc Road
If you must travel please ensure your petrol tank is full before you depart.
The following recreation sites are closed:
- The Bibbulmun Track, between Dwellingup and Harvey-Quindanning Road
- The Munda Biddi Trail, between is closed between Dwellingup and Logue Brook Dam.
- Lane Poole Reserve
- The Captain Fawcett 4WD track
- Yalgorup National Park south of Mt John Road including Martins Tank campsite, Heathlands walk trail, Lake Pollard walk trail and Haywood day use site on Preston Beach Road
- Lake Brockman Tourist Park
- Hoffman Mill
- Logue Brook Dam
- Waroona Dam and Lake Navarino Holiday Park is closed.
Western Power has advised that there are electricity interruptions as a result of the bushfire. Customers without power are encouraged to make alternative plans on the basis that power is not likely to be restored until the coming days. For further details visit www.westernpower.com.au.
Firefighters are undertaking asset protection along the northern, southern and western areas.
There are more than 200 firefighters and support staff responding to the fire.
Firefighters are using more than 50 appliances including 24 heavy machines.
They are continuing to build containment lines around the fire and control flare ups.
Aerial intelligence is surveying the fire this morning.
Register with Register.Find.Reunite. to let your family and loved ones know you are OK via https://register.redcross.org.au from any computer or mobile device or in person at an Evacuation Centre. The State Enquiry Centre Line will open again at 9:00am.
Go to dfes.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa, listen to ABC local radio, or news bulletins.
