Anita McInnes
NOW that the Bindoon-Gingin bushfire has been downgraded affected residents need to wait until roads and infrastructure such as bridges are safe before they will be allowed to return to their properties and homes are still without power.
Late this afternoon firefighters were still strengthening containment lines with machinery and aircraft and responding to flare ups.
Western Power said 83 customers were without power in Ginginup, Moondah, Mooliabeenee, Lennard Brook and Gingin due to the bushfire.
Those within the bushfire zone who remain without power will not be able to have it restored until crews are able to access the fire ground under the direction of Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
At least 13 poles are believed to be damaged.
At the community meeting held in Gingin earlier this afternoon DFES incident controller Craig Garrett said they now had a (track) around the bushfire and the large air tankers had been dropping retardant on the north side to secure it to make sure they didn’t get a breakout towards the Gingin townsite.
“(But) we can’t let residents back into the (affected) areas at this stage until our crews have checked those roads for safety so whether it’s power lines down, power poles burnt through, trees, bridges, culverts etc – they need to be checked.”
About 3.30pm a DFES spokesman confirmed that two homes had been destroyed in the bushfire, one home was moderately damaged and nine outbuilding or sheds had been destroyed.
At the Gingin community meeting a Department of Communities spokesman talked about what assistance could be offered for people unable to return home tonight.
Shire of Gingin President Wayne Fewster asked people to leave their details at the meeting or contact the shire if they were worried about getting feed to their animals.
Cr Fewster said they would try to get the information about roads reopening as soon as possible.
The latest information on Emergency WA says the closed roads include Teatree Rd between Mooliabeenee and Gray roads, Cockram Rd between Mooliabeenee Rd and Brand Hwy, Mooliabeenee Rd between Old Mooliabeenee and Crest Hill roads as well as Creighton Rd.
The Emergency WA website information says 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.
Cr Fewster thought Cockram Rd would be the first to open with the other roads likely to take a bit longer.
During the meeting, which is available on the Shire of Gingin’s Facebook Leanne Gonzales posted that her father was still at a farm on Lennards Rd that had been affected by the bushfire.
She asked who could be contacted to check on him to see if he had enough fresh water etc and was given the DFES number 133 337, which is the recorded emergency information line, to contact.
Cr Fewster said she could also contact the shire if she was unable to leave a message on that number.
WA Police said they would be doing extra patrols and said people should report anyone driving around that they did not recognise.
At 1.01pm DFES said the emergency warning for the Bindoon-Gingin bushfire had been replaced with a watch and act for the area bounded by Brand Hwy to the west, Honeycomb, Mooliabeenee and Ashworth roads to the north, Crest Hill Rd to the east and Gray and Creighton roads to the south.
