Residents evacuated as raging bushfire tears through renowned Australian wine region – as they are warned ‘you are in danger’
- Raging bushfire in Western Australian wine region threatening lives and homes
- Emergency warning issued for those living in the shire of Augusta Margaret River
- WA Department of Fire and Rescue warns affected residents ‘you are in danger’
- Separate blaze being fought 300km away in Chittering in hot and dry conditions
A raging bushfire in a national park in Western Australia‘s southwest is threatening lives and homes near the popular tourist town of Margaret River.
An emergency warning has been issued for the blaze in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and residents in the shire of Augusta Margaret River.
Firefighters are battling the blaze, which is moving in a westerly direction and has burnt through 100 hectares. Water bombers have also been dispatched.
‘You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes,’ the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on Wednesday.
A raging bushfire in a national park in Western Australia’s southwest is threatening lives and homes near the popular tourist town of Margaret River (pictured)
‘The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as the fire is escalating in heavy fuels. Rural properties on Calgardup Road will be under threat within three hours.’
Residents in the affected areas are advised to close all doors and windows and leave now if the way is clear, or prepare to shelter in their homes.
The emergency warning is in place for areas bound by the Redgate Road to the north, Thompson Road to the east and Calgardup Road to the south.
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park has been closed, as have a number of nearby campsites and the popular Giants Cave in nearby Boranup.
An evacuation centre has been established at the Margaret River Recreation Centre.
The fire is believed to have started at about 9:50am on Wednesday near the intersection of Caves Road and Calgardup in Boranyup.
100 hectares of popular tourist town Margaret River (pictured) has been burnt as firefighters struggle to contain the blaze heading in a westerly direction
Meanwhile, residents in Chittering have been hit with a Watch and Act alert after a separate blaze began just after midday on Tuesday.
It is believed the fire began near the intersection of Chittering Road and Chittering Valley Road, about 60km north-east of Perth.
The warning applies to residents in areas bounded by Santa Gertrudis to the west, Maryville Heights to the north, Julimar Road to the east and Morley Road to the south in parts of lower Chittering.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes in this area as weather conditions change and the blaze approaches.
In positive news, a bushfire south of Dongara has been contained by firefighters with the risk to lives and homes downgraded.
WA Premier Mark McGowan on Wednesday afternoon reassured residents a large aerial tanker would be deployed to help control the blaze.
‘Obviously, the conditions are very serious. It’s a very hot day and blustery conditions,’ Mr McGowan said.
‘So I just urge everyone in those areas, Chittering and Arrowsmith to be very careful. Listen to all the advice. We will do our best but they need listen to the advice and follow the advice that is provided.
‘So that will be an ongoing process, no doubt over coming days.’
Hot and windy conditions are testing firefighters on the scene with Perth expected to reach 40C and the Pilbara region to experience a similar heatwave.
Fire bans are currently in place in large parts of the state including the Gascoyne, Perth, the Mid West and the Wheatbelt.
More to come.
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