Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for south of Hay Road including Greenbushes townsite, west of South Western Hwy including western part Bridgetown, north of Brockman Hwy and east of Wetherley Road in Shires Donnybrook-Balingup, Bridgetown-Greenbushes and Nannup
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING has been issued for people south of Hay Road including Greenbushes town site, west of South Western Highway including western part of Bridgetown, north of Brockman Highway and east of Wetherley Road in the Shires of Donnybrook-Balingup, Bridgetown-Greenbushes and Nannup.
Homes in this area are under direct threat by fire now.
The fire that started at River Road in the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes yesterday has crossed the river and is burning in a south-easterly direction.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
WHAT TO DO:
• If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.
• Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute is deadly.
• 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.
• Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. However, if you have access to a water tank and plan to stay and defend start patrolling around your house and put out spot fires.
• If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
• If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.
• People in the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes that decide to leave are to place a green bag on their mail box or gate to advise fire fighters that they have left.
RELOCATION ROUTES:
Leave via Southampton Road to Brockman Highway or Maranup Ford Road towards Bridgetown.
RELOCATION POINTS:
A relocation point has been set up at Bridgetown Recreation Centre.
SAFER PLACE OF LAST RESORT:
If it is not safe to shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, shed, swimming pool, dam or building where you may go to seek shelter from a bushfire. This will give you some protection from the effects of a bushfire. Take water, woollen blankets and wear protective clothing.
COMMUNITY MEETING
A community meeting will be held at Bridgetown Recreation Centre at 5.00pm today.
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire WATCH AND ACT has been issued for people west of Greenbushes-Boyup Brook Road, Kendall Road, Winnejup Road, Wheatley Giblett Road and Carbanup Brook Road, and north of Glentulloch Road in the Shires of Donnybrook-Balingup, Bridgetown-Greenbushes and Nannup.
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:
• Put your bushfire survival plan into action.
• If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
• If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.
• Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. However, if you have access to a water tank and plan to stay and defend start patrolling around your house and check for spot fires.
• If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.
• People in the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes that decide to leave are to place a green bag on their mail box or gate to advise fire fighters that they have left.
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire ADVICE remains in place for people in an area between Nannup and Balingup in the Blackwood Valley.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date.
The Department of Environment and Conservation has detected six bushfires that started following an intensive thunderstorm yesterday afternoon. A seventh potential fire is being investigated. Lightning strikes were reported in the shires of Nannup, Donnybrook-Balingup and Bridgetown-Greenbushes.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date.
WHAT TO DO:
• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible
• Check the Fire Danger Rating for your area to help you decide what to do www.dfes.wa.gov.au/firedangerratings.
• Read through your bushfire survival plan.
• If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.
• 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.
ROAD CLOSURES:
The following roads are closed:
Southampton Road between Hay Road and Maranup Ford Road.
Maranup Ford Road between Greenbushes Road and Maranup Bridge.
Spring Gully Road between Greenbushes and Southampton Road.
Motorists should avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.
For further details contact Main Roads WA on 138 138 or the shires of Nannup and Donnybrook-Balingup.
RECREATION SITE CLOSURES:
The Bibbulmun Track, including Kings Hut, is closed between Balingup and Donnelly River Village.
BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:
The fire that started at River Road in the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes yesterday has crossed the river and is burning in a south-easterly direction. This fire is out of control and unpredictable.
The other fires are currently within containment lines but conditions are hot and dry with variable winds meaning the situation could change rapidly if fires break containment lines.
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:
134 personnel from the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Forest Products Commission and local volunteer bushfire brigades will continue working today to establish containment lines around the fires and undertake mop-up and patrol.
Firefighters are being assisted by six water bombers and two Type 1 helicopters.
CAUSE:
The cause of the fires is lightning.
AGENCY RESPONSIBLE:
DFES is managing the fires.
Updates will be provided hourly unless the situation changes.