A break out of the Waroona bushfire on Saturday afternoon saw the Department of Fire and Emergency Services increase the alert level for the Harvey townsite to Emergency Warning.
As of 12.30pm on Saturday, this applies to people in an area bounded by Old Coast Road, Forrest Highway, Bobsord Bridge, east of Waroona, Nanga Brook Road, Cunard Road, Dawn Creek Road, Pinjarra Road, south east to Harvey-Quindanning Road, Weir Road, Uduc Road and Forestry Road.
This includes east of Waroona, Hamel, Cookernup, Yarloop, Harvey townsite and surrounding areas. It doesn't include the Waroona townsite.
There is a threat to lives and homes.
BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:
Although bushfire behaviour has moderated overnight, it will pick up through the day due to forecast weather conditions.
The bushfire is moving slowly in a south easterly direction.
North westerly winds will continue throughout the day.
The fire remains uncontained and is not yet controlled.
Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.
WHAT TO DO:
If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear in a southerly direction.
If you cannot leave you need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
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.
PLACE OF LAST RESORT:
If you cannot shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, shed, swimming pool, dam or building.
This will give you some protection from the effects of a bushfire.
Take water, woollen blankets and wear protective clothing.
EVACUATION CENTRE:
Evacuation centres have been established at:
Murray Leisure Centre, 16 Camp Road, Pinjarra.
Leschenault Leisure Centre, Leisure Drive, Australind.
Please note material donations are not required at this stage. Monetary donations can be made through the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund.
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire WATCH and Act remains for an area bounded by Preston Beach, Lake Clifton and north of Waroona in an area bounded by Old Bunbury Road, Dorsett Road, Williamson Road, Mayfield Road, South Western Highway, Tallathalla Road, south of Murray River to Waroona.
A bushfire WATCH and ACT remains for an area bounded by Waroona in a line west to the coast, including Preston Beach.
A bushfire WATCH and ACT remains for an area bounded by Taranto Road, Read Road, Boonilup Road, Leitch Road, Dixon Avenue, South Western Highway north to Rodway Road, Government Road, Forrestry Road, west to the coast. This includes Myalup.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing.
You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
WHAT TO DO:
If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
It is not safe for people in Preston Beach to leave. You need to actively defend your home or take shelter at a safer place.
There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now, please consider that you may be directed to leave if conditions worsen.
Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires
If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
SAFER PLACE:
Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
SAFEST ROUTE:
If you are in the area you should leave in a southerly direction away from the fire.
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire ADVICE remains for people in an area bounded by Marriott Road, South Western Highway, Sandalwood Road, Big Tree Road, Mornington Road, Myles Avenue, Tallathalla Road, Harvey-Quindanning Road to Harvey, Forestry Road to Forrest Highway to Marriott Road.
This includes the townships of Binningup and the suburb of Wellesley.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.
WHAT TO DO:
Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
Close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
Read through your bushfire survival plan.
If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.
IF DRIVING:
Be extremely careful when driving through the area.
Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.
If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
ALERT LEVEL:
An ALL CLEAR advice remains for people in the areas of Brunswick, Australind, Leschenault, Eaton, Roelands, and Millbridge.
A bushfire ALL CLEAR remains for people in the area of Forrest Highway, Fishermans Road, Coolup Road East, Burnside Road, Dwellingup-Williams Road, Nanga Road, Icy Creek Road, Nanga Brook Road to Waroona, South Western Highway, Mayfield Road, Williamson Road, Dorsett Road and west to the ocean.
WHAT TO DO:
Drive slowly and with caution due to emergency services personnel working in the area.
ROAD CLOSURES:
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.
A number of main roads have been closed including:
Forrest Highway (both directions) from Pinjarra Road to Buffalo Road
Old Coast Road (both directions) from Lakeside Parkway to Forrest Highway
South Western Highway (both directions) from Greenlands Road to Marriott Road
Further road closures are in place within the area, including:
Old Bunbury Road between Forrest Highway and South Western Highway
Nanga Road between Murray River bridge and Driver Road
Forestry Road between Forrest Highway and Uduc Road
Alternative route:
If you are heading north to Perth an alternative route to take is Coalfields Highway to Albany Highway.
If you are heading south from Perth an alternative route to take is Albany Highway to Coalfields Highway.
RECREATION SITE CLOSURES:
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.
POWER:
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.
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:
Firefighters are continuing to build containment lines around the fire and control flare ups.
Firefighters are undertaking asset protection around affected communities.
There are over 250 firefighters and support staff responding to the fire.
Firefighters are using more than 50 appliances including 38 heavy machines.
Aerial support is assisting firefighters on the ground.
EXTRA INFORMATION:
An Emergency Situation has been declared for the Shires of Harvey and Waroona.
The fire was reported at 7.25am on 6 January 2016.
The cause of the fire is lightning.
Telephone text and voice messages have been issued.
More than 70,000 hectares have been burnt.
121 houses and several other structures have been confirmed lost in the Yarloop townsite.
The fire perimeter is in excess of 222km.
An inter-agency Incident Management Team comprising DFES, Parks and Wildlife and local government is managing the fire.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
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, call the State Enquiry Centre Line on 1800 015 337 or in person at an Evacuation Centre.
If you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been affected by the fires visit the Red Cross website https://register.redcross.org.au.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa, listen to ABC local radio, or news bulletins.
Updates will be provided every hour unless the situation changes.
