Fitzgerald River National Park fire: Changing winds push evacuation warning area for long-burning fire north

Residents north of Fitzgerald River National Park have been urged to evacuate as changing conditions push the blaze — that has been raging uncontrolled and uncontained for six days — north.

The fire was sparked by lightning at 2.30pm on January 16 and has so far burnt more than 41,000ha of the reserve, scrub and farmland.

An emergency level warning was issued at 3.38pm on Thursday for those in the area between South Coast Highway in the north and Fitzgerald River National Park in the south, in parts of Jacup, West Fitzgerald, West River and Fitzgerald River National Park.

An initial evacuation warning for those on the western side of the fireground, near Bremer Bay, issued after 11am on Thursday was downgraded at 3.38pm.

A temporary evacuation centre has opened at Jerramungup Entertainment Centre, located at 95 Derek Street, Jerramungup, with residents encouraged to leave the emergency zone in a westerly direction towards Jerramungup.

The emergency alert spans parts of Fitzgerald River National Park, Jacup, West Fitzgerald and West River, in the shires of Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe, with residents urged to leave immediately.

An evacuation centre has opened at Jerramungup Entertainment Centre, located at 95 Derek Street, Jerramungup, with residents encouraged to leave the emergency zone in a westerly direction towards Jerramungup.

There is a threat to lives and homes as the fire remains uncontrolled and uncontained.

There are currently 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.”

Thursday afternoon’s evacuation warning was the third sparked by the fire, with an emergency alert first issued for residents near the national park on Sunday evening.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the alert was upgraded as fire behaviour increased.

“Very hot and dry conditions are forecast for today with fresh and gusty northeast to northwesterly winds ahead of a fresh, gusty and cooler southwesterly change extending inland from the west coast during the afternoon and evening,” the alert reads.

“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.”

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.

More than 500 residences from Manypeaks to Jerramungup have lost power as a result of the fire, with Western Power estimating that power will be restored by 9.30pm.

South Coast Highway between Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe, Doubtful Islands Road east of Swamp Road, Devils Creek Road east of Meech Road and Marnigarup East Road east of Carlawillup South Road have all been closed.

The Bremer Bay Nursing Post has also been closed.

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

Bushfire Emergency Warning - LEAVE NOW - parts of JACUP, WEST FITZGERALD, WEST RIVER and FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK

A Bushfire Emergency Warning is in place for people in the area between South Coast Highway in the North and Fitzgerald River National Park in the south in parts of JACUP, WEST FITZGERALD, WEST RIVER and FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK in the SHIRE OF JERRAMUNGUP and SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE.

• The alert level for this fire has been upgraded due to increased bushfire behaviour.

• 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 westerly direction towards Jerramungup or an easterly direction towards Ravensthorpe.
• Temporary evacuation centres have been established at Jerramungup and Hopetoun.
• 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.