Fitzgerald River National Park fire: Huge blaze downgraded after burning 146,000ha in seven days

The mammoth blaze in Fitzgerald River National Park that has burned more than 145,000ha in a week has been downgraded to a watch and act alert, although residents have been urged not to return.

The fire was sparked by lightning at 2.30pm on January 16 and has so far burnt 146,000ha of the reserve, scrub and farmland in seven days.

Residents in the Fitzgerald River National Park, in an area between South Coast Highway, Hammersley Drive, Mylies Beach, Torregullup Beach and the intersection of Collets Road and W Mount Barren Lookout Road, including the park and Quion 4WD track are under a watch and act alert.

Those who have evacuated the area have been urged not to return due to the dangers posed by the fireground, such as fallen trees.

The fire remains uncontained and uncontrolled and is moving in an north easterly direction.

People in the area bounded by South Coast Highway, Rabbit Proof Fence Road, White Road, Lake Magenta Nature Reserve and Koornong Road in parts of Fitzgerald, Jacup, Jerramungup, Pingrup, Ravensthorpe, West River and West Fitzgerald in the shires of Jerramungup and Kent have been told to prepare to leave if the bushfire continues north.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes.

Firefighters are actively fighting the fire by strengthening containment lines and conducting backburning, with aerial support assisting ground crews.

Several evacuation warnings were issued on Thursday as the long-burning blaze flared back up, with parts of Bremer Bay, Jacup, West Fitzgerald, West River and Fitzgerald River National Park and Hopetoun urged to leave.

Temporary evacuation centres at Jerramungup Entertainment Centre and Newdegate Recreation Centre have now closed.

On Thursday, DFES reported 37 trucks, six machines, three water trucks and 121 personnel working across the Fitzgerald River National Park fireground, with nine aircraft and two large air tankers supporting ground crews.

Sam Mills, who works at the Bremer Bay Caravan Park, said the Bremer Bay townsite was unaffected so far, although she had seen smoke on the main road out of town.

“We have been told to stay put and not stress; we are in the safest place we can be because of the inlet,” she said.

“The fire would have to cross the inlet to affect us, but we are keeping a close eye.

“The road out of town was smoky this morning but it is less so now.”

The fire was sparked by lightning and is now being managed by Parks and Wildlife Service.

The Fitzgerald River National Park and all roads accessing it have been closed since Saturday morning.

Doubtful Islands Road east of Swamp Road, Devils Creek Road east of Meech Road, Marnigarup East Road east of Carlawillup South Road have now been reopened.

South Coast Highway between Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe, Moir Road south-west of Desmond Road, John Forrest Road, northern section and all roads in the Fitzgerald River National Park remain closed.

Anyone requiring assistance can contact the Department of Communities on the Disaster Relief Hotline on 1800 032 965.

Bushfire Watch and Act - NOT SAFE TO RETURN - FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people in Fitzgerald River National Park, in an area between South Coast Highway, Hammersley Drive, Mylies Beach, Torregullup Beach and the intersection of Collets Road and W Mount Barren Lookout Road, including the park and Quion 4WD track in the SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE and SHIRE OF JERRAMUNGUP.

• There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions may change.

WHAT TO DO

• If you have left the area, it is unsafe to return due to fallen trees other dangers created by the fire.
• Keep doors and windows closed, and evaporative air conditioners turned off with water running through the system if possible.
• Be patient and follow the directions of emergency services.

Bushfire Watch and Act - PREPARE TO LEAVE - FITZGERALD, JACUP, JERRAMUNGUP, PINGRUP, RAVENSTHORPE, WEST RIVER and WEST FITZGERALD

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people in the area bounded by South Coast Highway, Rabbit Proof Fence Road, White Road, Lake Magenta Nature Reserve and Koornong Road in parts of FITZGERALD, JACUP, JERRAMUNGUP, PINGRUP, RAVENSTHORPE, WEST RIVER and WEST FITZGERALD in the SHIRE OF JERRAMUNGUP and the SHIRE OF KENT.

• There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing.

WHAT TO DO

• If your plan is to leave, leave now.
• Take your emergency kit with you. It should include an AM/FM radio that runs off batteries, a first aid kit, a woollen blanket, phones, protective clothing, medication and irreplaceable valuables.
• Decide where you will go and how you will get there. This could be with family or friends away from the fire.
• Keep your doors and windows closed to keep out smoke.
• Turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible to prevent embers entering your home.
• Move flammable materials such as doormats, wheelie bins and outdoor furniture away from your home.
• If you plan to stay and defend ensure you are mentally and physically prepared, with protective clothing and an independent water supply. Make final preparations now and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.

SAFEST ROUTE

If it is safe to do so, leave in a northerly direction towards Jerramungup.

Bushfire Watch and Act - MONITOR CONDITIONS - parts of FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK, GAIRDNER, BREMER BAY excluding Bremer Bay townsite and JERRAMUNGUP excluding Jerramungup townsite.

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people in the area bounded by Marnigarup South Road to the west, Meechi Road and Doubtful Islands Road to the south, the coastline to the east, and Quiss Road, Pabelup Drive and Fitzgerald Inlet Track to the north-east, excluding Bremer Bay townsite, in parts of FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK, GAIRDNER, JERRAMUNGUP excluding Jerramungup townsite and BREMER BAY excluding Bremer Bay townsite in the SHIRE OF JERRAMUNGUP.

• The alert level for this fire has been downgraded due to changing bushfire behaviour.

• There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing.

WHAT TO DO

• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings as conditions could change.
• You may need to act quickly so ensure you are prepared if the situation gets worse.
• Read through your plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.
• Have your emergency kit ready.
• If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
• If you find it hard to move quickly, leaving now is your safest option.
• Keep your doors and windows closed to keep out smoke.
• Continue to patrol your property and be ready to put out spot fires.
• If you plan to stay and defend ensure you are mentally and physically prepared, with protective clothing and an independent water supply.

Bushfire Watch and Act - LEAVE NOW IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED - JACUP, WEST FITZGERALD, WEST RIVER, FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK, RAVENSTHORPE excluding Ravensthorpe townsite and HOPETOUN excluding Hopetoun townsite

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people in an area extending to the north of South Coast Highway and bounded by Quiss Road and West River Road on the west, Moir Road and John Forrest Road on the east, and Fitzgerald River National Park on the south in parts of JACUP, WEST FITZGERALD, WEST RIVER, FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK, RAVENSTHORPE excluding Ravensthorpe townsite and HOPETOUN excluding Hopetoun townsite in the SHIRE OF JERRAMUNGUP and SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE.

• The alert level for this fire has been downgraded as conditions have improved.

• There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing.

WHAT TO DO

• If your plan is to leave, leave now.
• Take your emergency kit with you. It should include an AM/FM radio that runs off batteries, a first aid kit, a woollen blanket, phones, protective clothing, medication and irreplaceable valuables.
• Decide where you will go and how you will get there. This could be with family or friends away from the fire.
• Keep your doors and windows closed to keep out smoke.
• Turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible to prevent embers entering your home.
• Move flammable materials such as doormats, wheelie bins and outdoor furniture away from your home.
• If you plan to stay and defend ensure you are mentally and physically prepared, with protective clothing and an independent water supply. Make final preparations now and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.

SAFEST ROUTE

If you choose to leave, leave in a northerly direction if safe to do so.