New front developing close to WA border as firefighters continue to battle raging inferno along WA coastline
Firefighters are being flown to the tackle another major bushfire that has erupted close to the WA border following a serious road train crash.
As hundreds of firefighters continue to battle an out-of-control bushfire that has razed more than 70,000 hectares along the WA coast, crews are currently being dispatched to the State’s south-east to fight the blaze which has forced the closure of a section of Eyre Highway.
The major route has been closed in both directions between Mundrabilla Roadhouse and Madura Pass with motorists told to avoid the area.
Kalgoorlie Career Fire Fighters are enroute with the highway expected to be shut for some time to allow crews to ascertain what the truck was carrying.
The RAC Rescue Helicopter may also be deployed.
Meanwhile, the change in weather overnight has given those on the coastal front lines a slight reprieve with a Watch and Act alert remaining in place for the shires of Dandaragan and Gingin.
However, emergency services remain wary that the blaze – which was sparked by a fatal car crash – could pick up again.
Camera IconFirefighters are being flown to the tackle another major bushfire that has erupted close to the WA border following a serious road train crash. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
Residents who evacuated from fishing shack villages at Grey and Wedge Island have been warned not to return due to a possible threat to lives and homes and those who remained have been advised to continue monitoring conditions.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the fire was currently moving in a southerly direction with hundreds of fireys working to strengthen containment lines and carry out backburning as well as monitor the area.
Aerial support has also been sent to assist ground crews.
The Watch and Act area stretches more than 50km along the coastline from the northern boundary of Nilgen Nature Reserve, about 10km north of Lancelin, up to just past the Indian Ocean Drive and Cervantes Road intersection.
Agricultural and Forestry Minister Jackie Jarvis told media during a press conference Saturday morning that Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson was travelling to the fire zone today to meet with local government as well as DFES staff, volunteers and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions staff.
She said while it was great the fire had been down graded last night, she had been told a thunderstorm was expected and emergency services would be keep a close eye.
“What I’ve been told is that there’s no reported loss of houses or any other properties, and thankfully, no reported loss of life,” she said.
“Minister Dawson is traveling to the fire zone today to meet with local government, but also, more importantly, to meet with the hard working volunteers, the DFES staff, the DBCA staff, to thank them for their efforts in containing this fire.
“Minister Dawson is keeping a really close eye on the situation and we hope that thunderstorms that are rolling over the weekend, do not cause this fire to reignite.”
Camera IconThe major route has been closed in both directions between Mundrabilla Roadhouse and Madura Pass with motorists told to avoid the area. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
Earlier this week, two volunteer firefighters were injured, one of them suffering non-life threatening burns.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services superintendent Damien Pumphrey urged residents to continue monitoring conditions and emergency alerts at a community briefing on Friday night.
“(Saturday’s) weather and the days following, really unpredictable, not great weather and that situation may change, and the warning level may go back up,” he said.
Parts of Indian Ocean Drive and multiple surrounding roads in the area remain closed, including Bibby Road, Wongonderrah Road, Meadows Road, Cervantes Road and Munbinea Road south of the Cervantes Road intersection.
An evacuation centre at Jurien Bay Sports and Recreation Centre has reopened, while Nambung National Park remains closed.
With AAP
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