THE cause of the bushfire, which started in Red Gully yesterday morning and has so far burnt 1530ha, is accidental according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
In an alert issued at 1.05pm today the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said 115 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters were involved either actively fighting the fire, strengthening containment lines or mopping up.
The alert said aerial support had been sent to assist ground crews and WA Police, Main Roads and Department of Biodiveristy, Conservation and Attractions were also in attendance.
Time of issue: 1.05pm
Date of issue: January 3
Bushfire watch and act for parts of Mimegarra, Regans Ford, Orange Springs and Cowalla in the shires of Gingin and Dandaragan.
Alert level:
A bushfire watch and act is in place for people in an area bounded by Brand Hwy to the east, Nammegarra Rd to the north, Mimegarra Rd and Cowalla Rd to the west and from the intersection of Orange Springs Rd and Nabaroo Rd across to Marri Heights Rd to the south in parts of Mimegarra, Regans Ford, Orange Springs and Cowalla in the shires of Gingin and Dandaragan.
- There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and the conditions are changing.
- The fire started near the intersection of Mogumber Rd West and Brand Hwy in Red Gully.
What to do:
- If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
- If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.
- If you plan to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. You need to have access to an independent water supply, and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.
- At all times close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
- If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
If you are self-isolating or quarantining due to Covid-19 and plan to leave:
- Leave now and find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area.
- If you are unable to return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency.
- Regardless of your location, continue to follow Covid-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
Bushfire advice for parts of Nilgen and Lancelin in the Shire of Gingin.
Alert level:
A bushfire advice is in place for people in an area west of Mimegarra Rd to the coast, bounded by Dingo Rd and Nilgen Rd to the north and Sappers Rd, K.W. Rd and Lancelin Rd to the south in parts of Lancelin and Nilgen in the Shire of Gingin.
- There is no threat to lives or homes.
- There is a lot of smoke in the area.
- Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.
- The fire started near the intersection of Mogumber Rd West and Brand Hwy in Red Gully.
What to do:
- Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
- 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.
- Read through your bushfire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.
If driving
- Be extremely careful when driving through the area.
- 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.
- 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.
Bushfire behaviour:
- The bushfire is stationary.
- It is not contained or controlled.
Safer place:
- The evacuation centre has now closed.
- Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
- Continue to follow Covid-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
Safest route:
For people located south of the fire, leave via Brand Hwy towards Gingin.
For people located anywhere else, travel west to Indian Ocean Dr and then south towards Gingin.
Road closures and conditions:
Avoid the area and be aware of fire and emergency services personnel working on site.
A number of roads have been closed including:
- Mogumber Rd West to Bindoon-Moora Rd
- Brand Hwy from Gingin Brook Rd to Dandaragan Rd
- Dandaragan Rd to Bindoon Rd
- Orange Springs Rd to Cowalla Rd.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully due to smoke.
Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by calling 138 138 or visiting travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting your local government authority.
REGISTER.FIND.REUNITE:
Register with Register.Find.Reunite to let your family and loved ones know you’re OK and where you will be relocating to via https://register.redcross.org.au from any computer or mobile device or in person at the temporary evacuation centre.
If you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been planning to be in the area, enquire about their whereabouts through the online Register.Find.Reunite system at https://register.redcross.org.au.
What firefighters are doing:
- Firefighters are actively fighting the fire, strengthening containment lines and mopping up.
- 115 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters are attending.
- Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.
- A Police, Main Roads and Department of Biodiveristy, Conservation and Attractions are also in attendance.
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.
Extra information:
- The fire was reported at 9.33am on January 2.
- Currently there has been 1530ha burnt.
- The cause of the fire is accidental.
- DFES is managing the fire.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa, 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.
