Dunn Rock fire: Blaze still out of control after four days, structure destroyed and 43,000ha burnt

A blaze that has raged through more than 40,000ha of land and destroyed one structure near Dunn Rock in the Shire of Lake Grace, remains out of control and uncontained after five days.

The fire, which was sparked by a lightning strike in mallee scrub at 4.24pm on Friday, has burnt 43,000ha of scrub and farmland, and destroyed a structure on a local farm.

The building, which was used as accommodation for seasonal farm workers, was destroyed.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson confirmed nobody was on the property at the time.

The structure was the only one destroyed as of Monday afternoon, and there were no reports of livestock loss.

The blaze was initially moving in a south-easterly direction but changing wind conditions pushed the flames north-west on Monday.

More than 200 firefighters and volunteers from the Parks and Wildlife Service, DFES, farmer response units, local volunteer brigades and local government were on the ground, with aerial support remaining on standby on Tuesday.

By Tuesday morning, the fire was stationary but still not contained or controlled, with DFES warning that changing conditions throughout the day could put the blaze on the move again.

DFES deputy commissioner Craig Waters urged people to avoid the area if possible and stay up to date with emergency warnings.

“Firefighters have done an outstanding job protecting properties in Dunn Rock, Lake King and East Newdegate as fire conditions continue to escalate,” he said.

“A combination of machinery, firefighting vehicles and aerial support is being used to strengthen containment lines and control the fire, however the terrain and weather have been challenging for crews.”

DFES issued a warning for the larger surrounding area to stay alert.

Emergency services told residents at 1.45am on Saturday that it was too late to leave as evacuation routes had been compromised.

Creek Road, Tuck Road, and Old Newdegate and Mallee roads remain closed as of Tuesday morning but Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road between Newdegate and Lake King has been reopened.

Western Power said nine customers in Dunn Rock, Magenta and West River had lost power. It was expected to be restored on Tuesday at 4pm.

A Bushfire Watch and Act with possible threat to lives and homes remains in place for people in Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road to the north and east, Old Newdegate Road, Millsteed Road, Mallee Road and Taylor Road to the south, and Tarco Road continuing south to Old Ravensthorpe Road to the west in parts of Dunn Rock and Lake King in the Shire of Lake Grace, on Tuesday.

Bushfire Watch and Act - AVOID THE AREA - parts of DUNN ROCK and LAKE KING

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people in an area bounded by Newdegate Ravensthorpe Road, Tarco Road, Old Ravensthorpe Road, Taylor Road, Mallee Road, Milsteed Road and the eastern side of Lake King in parts of Dunn Rock and Lake King in the Shire of Lake Grace.

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

WHAT TO DO

• Continue to stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Be aware of other potential dangers such as falling trees and damaged properties and infrastructure.
• Close all doors and windows and stay inside if smoke is causing you concern.
• Be ready if the situation escalates. Read through your plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.

SAFEST ROUTE

If conditions worsen and you are not prepared, leave towards Newdegate or Lake King townsite.

Bushfire Advice - MONITOR CONDITIONS - DUNN ROCK, EAST NEWDEGATE and MAGENTA

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in an area east of Tarco Road, south of Newdegate Ravensthorpe Road, Magenta Road and north of Nield Road in Dunn Rock, East Newdegate and Magenta in the Shire of Lake Grace.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

WHAT TO DO

• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Read through your plan and decide what you will do if the situation gets worse. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA, or in the Emergency WA app.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air-conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
• If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

If driving

• Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
• Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
• If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.

Bushfire Advice - MONITOR CONDITIONS - MT MADDEN and WEST RIVER

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in an area bounded by Magenta Road, Giles Road, Mallee Road, Fitzgerald Road, Koornong Road, Taylor Road and Old Ravensthorpe Road in Magenta and West River in the Shire of Lake Grace and the Shire of Ravensthorpe.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

WHAT TO DO

• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Read through your plan and decide what you will do if the situation gets worse. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA, or in the Emergency WA app.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air-conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
• If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

If driving

• Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
• Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
• If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.

Bushfire Advice - STAY INFORMED - EAST NEWDEGATE and north-west of LAKE KING

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in an area bounded by Newdegate-Ravensthorpe Road, Haig Road, Biddy-Camm Road and Hyden-Lake King Road in parts of East Newdegate and Lake King in the Shire of Lake Grace.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

WHAT TO DO

• Continue to stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Be aware of other potential dangers such as falling trees and damaged properties and infrastructure.
• Close all doors and windows and stay inside if smoke is causing you concern.