Source: Emergency WA

The following alert has been issued by the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Please note changes throughout this alert.
Issued: 03 Jan 2025 04:53 PM

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

A Bushfire Emergency Warning is in place for people located south of South Coast Highway in the vicinity of Fitzgerald townsite in WEST FITZGERALD, FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK and WEST RIVER in the SHIRE OF JERRAMUNGUP and SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE.

There is a possible threat to lives or 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.

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 - WEST RIVER and WEST FITZGERALD

Bushfire behaviour

Road closures and conditions

A number of roads have been closed including:

South Coast Highway between West River and Mallee Road - detours are in place.

Witt Road

Old Ongerup Road

West River Road

Mallee Road

Hamersley Drive North (unsealed)

Twertup Track - Twertup Field Study Station is closed due to facilitating suppression activities

Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully. Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by visiting the Main Roads Travel Map, calling 138 138 or by contacting your Local Government Authority.

What firefighters are doing

Firefighters are actively fighting the fire, establishing containment lines and fallback lines.

75 Bush Fire Service, Career Fire and Rescue Service and Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters are attending.
Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.

Drones and aerial support

Never fly a drone, model aircraft or multirotor near bushfires. Doing so poses a major safety risk to firefighting personnel in the air and on the ground, and forces aircraft to be grounded or redirected, hindering firefighting efforts.

Animal Welfare

Owners or carers of livestock, pets and companion animals should activate their own animal welfare plan. During a bushfire take advice from Local Government Authorities to protect the lives of your animals while keeping yourself safe.

For more information on actions to take for each bushfire warning level, please see the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.

Extra information

Parks and Wildlife Service is managing the fire.

The incident was reported at 6pm on 2 January 2025.

The cause of the incident is lightning.

Keep up to date

Visit Emergency WA, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Facebook, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.

Updates will be issued every hour unless the situation changes.

DFES Bushfires