Four fires burning out of control in WA's south threatening lives and homes
Updated
Four bushfires are threatening lives and homes in communities across Western Australia's Great Southern region, as strong winds from the season's first strong cold front fan flames, sparking spot fires up to 1.5km ahead of the fire front.
More details on all fires can be found on the Emergency WA website.
An emergency warning — the highest threat level — is in place for Redmond, Marbelup, McKail, Elleker and Torbay near the town of Albany on WA's southern coast.
Authorities say people in the vicinity of this fire are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
Homes are under threat now, according to DFES.
For these people, DFES advises:
- It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly.
- You need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
- Go to a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.
- You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you.
- If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
Wind gusts of more than 90 kilometres an hour have been recorded at Albany airport.
There is also an emergency warning for Goode Beach and Frenchman Bay across the inlet from the town.
Emergency warnings have also been issued for an area south-east of Stirling Range National Park in the city of Albany, and in nearby Napier.
The Stirling Ranges fire is the result of an escaped burn, a DFES statement said.
The alert level has been upgraded due to strong winds and a rapid spread of the fire.
The Department of Education has cancelled classes at the South Stirling Primary School on Friday, as a precaution.
City of Albany community emergency services manager Brendan Gordon said strong southerly winds had picked up during the evening and were pushing the fires quickly towards farming properties.
"Both of these fires will impact properties really quickly," he said.
He said firefighters were hoping for rain overnight to provide some relief but knew it could be hours away.
"For the firefighters, rain would be fantastic," he said.
"We're chucking everything at these fires and hoping for the best."
An emergency evacuation centre has been set up at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre on Barker Road.
Flames bear down on Peaceful Bay
An earlier emergency warning for the holiday-home community of Peaceful Bay in the shire of Denmark has been downgraded to a watch and act as rainfall dampened flames.
However homes along Ficifolia Road and Peaceful Bay Road including the coastal Peaceful Bay township, comprising around 300 homes, may still come under threat.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the bushfire is fast-moving, out of control and unpredictable.
Roads in the area have been closed.
DFES said those planning on staying to defend their homes must not rely on mains water pressure. Those with access to a water tank should start patrolling with their hose and put out spot fires.
Motorists are asked to avoid areas affected by the fires, reduce speed and drive carefully due to smoke.
Topics: bushfire, fires, disasters-and-accidents, albany-6330, wa, denmark, australia
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