Much of Waroona (23 kms south) was evacuated last night due to an out of control fire.
Today, Preston Beach was evacuated.
My sister had to leave in a hurray last night and came to our place for refuge. (I have a refugee living with me now
).
Their house is OK though and the fire seems to have just skirted the townsite before racing towards the coast at Preston Beach.
All three major north/south highways are closed and aerial bombers are being used.
My nephew, Patrick, is a volunteer fire fighter and spent all night fighting the fire after having been awake all day and today back there again.
They do a great job, these guys.
39 degrees forecast again today with strong easterly winds.
Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for Waroona and surrounding areas, including Preston Beach, in the Shire of Waroona
Thursday 7 January 2016 - 11:05 AM
*Please note changes under Power.
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING is in place for people in an area bounded by Willowdale Road, Johnston Road, Forrest Highway, Dorsett Road, Williamson Road, Mayfield Road and Nanga Brook Road, including the Waroona townsite, in the Shire of Waroona.
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING is also in place for people in Preston Beach in the Shire of Waroona.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
Homes are under threat by fire now.
The fire started in Lane Poole Reserve. It is burning on both sides of the South Western Highway.
BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:
The bushfire is moving fast in a westerly direction.
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.
WHAT TO DO: (PRESTON BEACH and EAST OF SOUTH WESTERN HIGHWAY)
For people east of South Western Highway, it is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly.
You need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
For people in Preston Beach it is also too late to leave. If you are unable to actively defend your home you should shelter at the beach.
Go to a room 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.
You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you.
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.
WHAT TO DO: (WEST OF SOUTH WESTERN HIGHWAY, EXCLUDING PRESTON BEACH)
For people west of South Western Highway, you can leave in a westerly direction.
If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
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.
It is not safe to stay and defend your home, your best chance for survival is to leave now.
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 you 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.
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 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.
EVACUATION CENTRE:
An evacuation centre has been established at Murray Leisure Centre, 16 Camp Road, Pinjarra.
A second evacuation centre has been established at Harvey Recreation Centre, Young Street, Harvey.
COMMUNITY MEETING:
A community meeting will be held at 11.30am at the Waroona Recreation Centre, Hill Street, Waroona.
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire WATCH AND ACT has been issued for people in an area bounded by Johnston Road, Willowdale Road, Forrest Highway, Riverdale Road and Logue Brook Dam and Clarke Road to Nanga Road, in the Shire of Waroona
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in 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.
You should leave in southern direction if it is safe to do so.
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.
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.
ROAD CLOSURES:
A number of roads have been closed including:
Forrest Highway is closed between Pinjarra Road and Raymond Road.
South Western Highway is closed between Coolup townsite and Johnston Road.
Nanga Road is closed between Nanga Brook Road and Driver Road.
Old Coast Road is closed between Old Bunbury Road and Forrest Highway.
Main Roads advises:
If your 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.
Heavy haulage should check Main Roads WA by calling 138 138 or visiting
Main Roads Western Australia RECREATION SITE CLOSURES:
The following recreation sites are closed:
The Bibbulmun Track, between Yarragil Form and Driver Road
The Munda Biddi Trail, between Nanga Mill and Driver Road
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.
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 today.
For further details visit
Western Power: Home.
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:
Approximately 100 firefighters are working at the scene.
Firefighters are using more than 40 appliances, including 5 dozers and 3 loaders.
Aerial support is assisting firefighters on the ground.
EXTRA INFORMATION:
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 11,000 hectares have been burnt.
The Department of Parks and Wildlife is managing the fire.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
Register with Register.Find.Reunite. to let your family and loved ones know you are OK in person at the Evacuation Centre or via
Register.Find.Reunite. from any computer or mobile device.
If you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been affected by the fires visit the Red Cross website
Register.Find.Reunite. KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit
DFES Alerts and Warnings, 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.
