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 information advising people to leave Windy Harbour townsite and closure of the Summertime Track leading to Malimup Beach.
Issued: 18 Feb 2025 09:20 AM

Bushfire Emergency Warning
TOO LATE TO LEAVE - WINDY HARBOUR and BROKE

A Bushfire Emergency Warning is in place for people in the vicinity of WINDY HARBOUR in the SHIRE OF MANJIMUP.

The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as conditions are changing.

You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.

The fire situation is rapidly changing.

Windy Harbour settlement is now under direct threat of fire impact. It is too late to leave.

Windy Harbour Road is closed to traffic north and south. For your own safety do not attempt to leave. If required take shelter on the beach.

Homes in parts of Windy Harbour are under threat by fire now.

WHAT TO DO

It is too late to leave. Fire has impacted evacuation routes and leaving now will put your life in danger.

You need to identify a room in your home where you can shelter from the approaching fire. It should have running water, such as a kitchen or laundry, and have a clear exit so you can easily escape.

You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you.

Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.

Monitor both inside and outside of your home for fires and embers and turn on sprinklers if you have them.

If your home catches fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, go to an area that has already been burnt.

Protect yourself by wearing strong leather boots in case you need to leave your home.

If you are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

Facility or Park Closure
Park Closure for Shannon National Park (and campground) south of Shannon Campground and west of the South Western Highway.

Facility or Park Closure
Park Closure for Boorara Gardner National Park including Lane Pool Falls walk trail in BOORARA BROOK in the SHIRE OF MANJIMUP

Facility or Park Closure
Park Closure for D'Entrecasteaux National Park between Windy Harbour Road and Broke Inlet.

Facility or Park Closure
Trail Closure for the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trail between NORTHCLIFFE and WALPOLE in the SHIRE OF MANJIMUP.

Bushfire behaviour

It is not contained or controlled.

There are multiple bushfires burning in this location.

Road closures and conditions

Windy Harbour Road between Andrews Road and Windy Harbour has reopened.

A number of roads have been closed including:

Deeside Coast Road south from Middleton Road.

Chesapeake Road south of Andrews Road to Broke Inlet Road.

Broke Inlet Road is closed from South Western Highway.

Parts of Shannon and D'Entrecasteaux national parks are closed, including all roads and tracks located west of South Western Highway, east of Gardner River Rd and East of Lower Gardner River Rd, northwest of Broke Inlet Road, and north of Broke Inlet and the Southern Ocean. This includes Pingerup Rd, Chesapeake Rd, Nelson Rd, Preston Rd, Dog Road and other minor roads and tracks.

Local road closures are also in place for the Greater Beedelup National Park. This is due another fire 17km west of Manjimup.

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 undertaking a combination of tracking, backburning and burning out unburnt areas within containment lines to contain the fire.

This work will continue over the coming days.

There are approximately 230 firefighters and incident control staff from Parks and Wildlife Service, DFES and local bushfire brigades working across the fire ground and supporting the incident.

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 cause of the incident is lightning.

Approximately 17,892 hectares has currently been burnt.

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 two hours unless the situation changes.

DFES Bushfires