Crossman bushfire: Emergency alert extended as fire rages near Boddington, Albany Highway closed

More than 150 firefighters continue to battle several out-of-control bushfires that have burnt for more than 24 hours after being sparked in one Wheatbelt region.

Several bushfires within the shires of Boddington, Wandering and Williams — all ignited by dry lightning at about noon on Thursday — remain uncontrolled and uncontained.

The flames have burnt about 5200ha collectively as of Friday afternoon.

Firefighters stayed overnight on Thursday and more than 150 volunteer crews are still on scene actively fighting the fire, which is moving in a north-easterly direction.

Twelve aerial support crews and four black hawk helicopters have been sent to aid ground efforts.

The fire poses an immediate threat to lives and homes for people in parts of the shires of Boddington, Wandering, Williams, Bannister and North Bannister.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services put in place an emergency warning for Albany Highway, Fuller Road, Moramockining Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road, Lyons Road and Wilkie Road, urging them to evacuate.

An area bound by Wandering-Pingelly Road, Noombling-Norrine Road, Carabin Road, York-Williams Road and Fourteen Mile Brook Road in Codjatotine, Dwarda, Pumphreys Bridge and Wandering was added to the evacuation alert at 1.23pm on Friday.

DFES updated the evacuation route and urge anyone east of Albany Highway to evacuate in a easterly direction, while those situated near Bannister should travel in northerly direction.

An evacuation centre has been opened at the Narrogin Leisure Centre.

DFES has also issued a watch and act alert urging residents north-west and east of the fireground to monitor the situation and stay alert to the blaze as conditions change.

On Friday morning, a DFES spokesperson said there has been no confirmed reports of homes or structures lost or damaged as crews have not been able to access areas and assess.

Albany Highway remains closed in both directions between Jarrahdale Road and the Williams townsite.

Crossman-Dwarda Road also remains closed.

There is restricted road access for Palmers Road between Farmers Avenue and Old Soldiers Road and Old Soldiers Road between Gold Mine Road and Palmers Avenue.

The evacuation notice was first issued at 1.19pm on Thursday for those travelling on Albany Highway between Crossman Road and Wilkie Road, before being extended at 2pm, and then again at about 3.30pm to include the area bounded by Fuller Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road, Lyons Road and Albany Highway in Crossman, Dwarda and Williams in the Shire of Boddington.

Ronnie Delizo Atienza was with her family on the way to Boddington via Albany Highway when the fire forced them to turn around at about 1pm.

“We were quite worried when we saw the smoke covering the road so everyone decided to pull over and turn back,” she said.

“The firetrucks arrived in just a few minutes.

“We also saw one of the residents evacuating the area as the bushfire was near their residence.

“At first, we weren’t sure which alternative route to take, then bystanders were helping direct some of the cars to Boddington.”

Western Power has advised power supply to about 620 homes and businesses in Wandering, Williams, Boddington and Codjatotine has been affected by the bushfire.

Network operations centre will back feed where possible to restore power.

Those within the bushfire zone will not be able to be restored until crews are able to access the fire ground and customers will remain off overnight.

Bushfire Emergency Warning - LEAVE NOW - WANDERING, CODJATOTINE, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DWARDA, CROSSMAN and WILLIAMS

A Bushfire Emergency Warning is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, Wilkie Road directly across to Fourteen Mile Brook Road, York-Williams Road, Carabin Road, Noombling-Norrine Road, Wandering-Pingelly Road, Moramockining Road, Fuller Road, and directly across to Albany Highway in parts of WANDERING, CODJATOTINE, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DWARDA, CROSSMAN and WILLIAMS in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON, SHIRE OF WANDERING and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

• 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. This may be with family or friends away from the area.
• If it is safe to do so, people east of Albany Highway should leave in an easterly direction.
• Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger.
• Take your emergency kit with you.
• If you become stuck in your car, park away from bushes, cover yourself with a woollen blanket, get onto the floor as the windows may break from the intense heat.
• Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
• If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.
• You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you.
• Go to a room in your home where you can shelter from the approaching fire.
• The room should have running water, such as a kitchen or laundry, and have a clear exit so you can easily escape.
• If you are not at home, it is too dangerous to return.

Bushfire Emergency Warning - LEAVE NOW - BANNISTER and NORTH BANNISTER

A Bushfire Emergency Warning is in place for people in an area bounded by east of the Boddington Gold Mine, north and west of Bannister-Marradong Road, Bannister Road and south of Youraling State Forest including Albany Highway in parts of BANNISTER and NORTH BANNISTER in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON and SHIRE OF WANDERING.

• 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. This may be with family or friends away from the area.
• If it is safe to do so, leave in a northerly direction.
• Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger.
• Take your emergency kit with you.
• If you become stuck in your car, park away from bushes, cover yourself with a woollen blanket, get onto the floor as the windows may break from the intense heat.
• Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
• If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.
• You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you.
• Go to a room in your home where you can shelter from the approaching fire.
• The room should have running water, such as a kitchen or laundry, and have a clear exit so you can easily escape.
• If you are not at home, it is too dangerous to return.

Bushfire Watch and Act - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BANNISTER, CODJATOTINE, DRYANDRA, DWARDA, HASTINGS, LOL GRAY, NORTH BANNISTER, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, SPRINGS, WANDERING, WEST POPANYINNING and WILLIAMS

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by Ricks Road, North Wandering Road, York-Williams Road, Wandering Narrogin Road directly across to Turner Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road across to Patonga Road, York-Williams Road, Carabin Road, Noombling-Norrine Road, Wandering-Pingelly Road, North Bannister Wandering Road in parts of WILLIAMS, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DRYANDRA, CODJATOTINE, LOL GRAY, HASTINGS, SPRINGS and WANDERING in the SHIRE OF CUBALLING, SHIRE OF WANDERING and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

• The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as fire activity has escalated.

• 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 - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BANNISTER, DWARDA, NORTH BANNISTER, SPRINGS and WANDERING

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, N Bannister-Wandering Road, Moramockining Road and Fuller Road in BANNISTER, DWARDA, NORTH BANNISTER, SPRINGS and WANDERING in the SHIRE OF WANDERING.

• 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 Emergency Warning - LEAVE NOW - BANNISTER and NORTH BANNISTER

A Bushfire Emergency Warning is in place for people in an area bounded by east of the Boddington Gold Mine, north and west of Bannister-Marradong Road, Bannister Road and south of Youraling State Forest including Albany Highway in parts of BANNISTER and NORTH BANNISTER in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON and SHIRE OF WANDERING.

• 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. This may be with family or friends away from the area.
• If it is safe to do so, leave in a northerly direction.
• Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger.
• Take your emergency kit with you.
• If you become stuck in your car, park away from bushes, cover yourself with a woollen blanket, get onto the floor as the windows may break from the intense heat.
• Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
• If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.
• You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you.
• Go to a room in your home where you can shelter from the approaching fire.
• The room should have running water, such as a kitchen or laundry, and have a clear exit so you can easily escape.
• If you are not at home, it is too dangerous to return.

Bushfire Watch and Act - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BANNISTER, CODJATOTINE, DRYANDRA, DWARDA, HASTINGS, LOL GRAY, NORTH BANNISTER, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, SPRINGS, WANDERING, WEST POPANYINNING and WILLIAMS

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by Ricks Road, North Wandering Road, York-Williams Road, Wandering Narrogin Road directly across to Turner Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road across to Patonga Road, York-Williams Road, Carabin Road, Noombling-Norrine Road, Wandering-Pingelly Road, North Bannister Wandering Road in parts of WILLIAMS, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DRYANDRA, CODJATOTINE, LOL GRAY, HASTINGS, SPRINGS and WANDERING in the SHIRE OF CUBALLING, SHIRE OF WANDERING and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

• The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as fire activity has escalated.

• 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 - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BANNISTER, DWARDA, NORTH BANNISTER, SPRINGS and WANDERING

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, N Bannister-Wandering Road, Moramockining Road and Fuller Road in BANNISTER, DWARDA, NORTH BANNISTER, SPRINGS and WANDERING in the SHIRE OF WANDERING.

• 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 - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, CROSSMAN and RANFORD

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, Tyler Road, Newmarket Road, Reserve Road and Bannister Marradong Road, including Crossman Road, in parts of BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, CROSSMAN and RANFORD in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.

• 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 - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BANNISTER and MOUNT WELLS

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by an area west of Albany Highway, including the Boddington Gold Mine, and an area north of it in parts of BANNISTER and MOUNT WELLS in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON and SHIRE OF WANDERING.

• 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 - MONITOR CONDITIONS - MARRADONG, WILLIAMS and CONTINE

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by Tyler Road, Wilkie Road, directly across to Fourteen Mile Brook Road, York-Williams Road, Patonga Road, across to Fourteen Mile Brook Road, directly across to Congelin-Narrogin Road, and a point directly from the intersection of Congelin-Narrogin Road and York-Williams Road to the intersection of Marradong Road, Albany Highway and Lucev Road in parts of MARRADONG, WILLIAMS and CONTINE in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON, SHIRE OF CUBALLING and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

• 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 Advice - AVOID THE AREA - BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, MARRADONG and WURAMING

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in the area north of Pinjarra Williams Road and west of Bannister Marradong Road, including the Boddington townsite and eastern parts of the Boddington Gold Mine in parts of BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, MARRADONG and WURAMING in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.