Access to Lancelin cut off as blaze rages on in Gingin area
More than 70 firefighters have worked tirelessly through the night to protect lives, homes and animals after a fire raging since Saturday across the greater Shire of Gingin has escaped containment lines and is threatening lives and homes.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services warns residents of Oceans Farms Estate to leave now via Indian Ocean Drive in a northerly or southerly direction as their lives will be in danger if they stay.
Access to Lancelin has been cut off, but those wishing to leave the holiday destination can do so in a southerly direction via Indian Ocean Drive.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting extremely hot and dry conditions going into next week, which only fuelled the unpredictability of a fire threat.
Warning areas
Residents in Regans Ford, Red Gully, Cowalla, Moore River National Park, Nilgen, Mimegarra, Karakin, Yathroo, Orange Springs, Lancelin and Ledge Point, including Ocean Farms and Seaview Park, are being issued an emergency warning they are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
A watch and act advice is in place for parts of Wedge Island, Mimegarra, Nilgen and Cooljarloo and residents in parts of of Lancelin, Nilgen Karakin and Ledge Point are under an advice alert.
Strong easterly winds are set to hamper efforts to control a fire emergency in the Shire of Gingin, north of Perth.Credit:DFES
The bushfire, which started near the intersection of Mogumber Road an Brand Highway in Red Gully, which is out of control and unpredictable, is moving fast in a westerly direction at three kilometres per hour, according to DFES.
Burning embers are likely to be blown around and are starting spot fires up to 200 metres ahead of the fire and there is a lot of ash and dust blowing over the fireground.
People within the emergency area are advised it was too late to evacuate horses and large animals or to handle animal movements outside.
An evacuation centre has been set up at Guilderton Country Club on Wedge Street, Guilderton, which will be open from 5.30pm Monday.
The bushfire is approaching Lancelin and surrounds.Credit:DFES
"If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home," DFES advised.
"Go to a room in your home away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.
"Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry."
The view from the top of the Sappers Road hill showing the size of the fire on Monday.Credit:Lancelin Facebook page
People in an area bounded by Brand Highway, Nammegarra Road, Mimegarra Road, Dingo Road, Nilgen Road, Indian Ocean Drive, KW Road, Sappers Road, Orange Springs Road and Nabaroo Road are in the path of the fire.
Residents within the watch and act area are urged to take animals to stay with a friend or family member or to a private boarding or agistment arrangement. Its advises to move livestock through paddocks with a low fuel load and ensure the animals have feed and drinking water for several days of high to extreme temperatures.
A number of roads have been closed including Indian Ocean Drive from K.W Road to Wedge Island Road, K.W Road (East of Indian Ocean Drive), Nilgen Road (East of Indian Ocean Drive) and Minegarra Road from Meadows Road to Sappers Road.
Strong easterly winds, hot temperatures set to continue
The Bureau of Meteorology is also predicting extremely hot and dry conditions going into next week, which only fuelled the unpredictability of a fire threat.
Wind speeds of more than 30km/h are expected on Tuesday morning at a top of 35 degrees, 37 degrees on Wednesday, 38 degrees on Thursday and 40 degrees on Friday.
DFES Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said climate change had caused fires to burn with the same intensity into the evenings, where before firefighters would get a lull or reprieve with cooling conditions.
"Whenever you come into a period of hot weather and gusty easterly winds in you’re in for a world of hurt," Mr Waters said.
He said DFES was expecting this fire season to be the same as last year's Yanchep fires, with active fires burning into the night, which also happened over the weekend.
Kwinana tip to burn for days
A bushfire in Kwinana which had ignited a rubbish tip had kept more than 100 firefighters busy on Monday.
"We've been advised that the smoke coming off is no more harmful than bushfire smoke, so we're asking residents to stay indoors and close all windows and doors," Mr Waters said.
The blaze, which started just after 12.30pm on Saturday near the intersection of Thomas Road and Gilmore Avenue in Orelia, has razed 240 hectares of bushland. It is yet unclear what caused the fire.
The uncontained bushfire is moving slowly in a westerly direction, with authorities warning of burning embers being likely blown around homes in the naval base, Kwinana Beach, Hope Valley, Orelia, Pamelia, Calista, Leda, Medina, Kwinana town centre and East Rockingham.
Mr Waters said the ability to gain control had been "extremely challenging", with temperatures set to soar to almost 40 degrees by Saturday.
Keep up to date:
Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.
Fran is the editor of WAtoday
Aja Styles is a digital culture editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.