Key Takeaways:
- A bushfire is burning out of control in Perth’s south, with a possible threat to lives and homes in parts of Cooloongup, Waikiki, and Warnbro.
- The fire has forced the closure of several roads, including parts of Safety Bay Road, and has disrupted train services on the Mandurah line.
- Unexploded ordnance in the area is hampering efforts to contain the fire, with aerial support being used to build containment lines with retardant.
- Residents in the affected areas have been warned about ember attacks and have been advised to make preparations for a possible change in wind direction.
- A separate emergency-level fire is burning in the rural area of Benger, north-east of Bunbury, with non-essential workers evacuated from the Albemarle lithium plant.
Introduction to the Bushfire
The city of Rockingham, located about 60 kilometers south of Perth, is currently facing a severe bushfire threat. The fire, which started near the Warnbro train station, has been burning out of control and has forced the closure of several roads, including parts of Safety Bay Road. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has warned that there is a possible threat to lives and homes in parts of Cooloongup, Waikiki, and Warnbro, and has advised residents to make preparations for a possible change in wind direction.
Challenging Conditions
The fire is being fought in challenging conditions, with unexploded ordnance in the area preventing the use of machinery to build containment lines. Instead, aerial support is being used to drop retardant and build containment lines. The fire has also forced the closure of the Warnbro train station and has disrupted train services on the Mandurah line. Replacement buses are running between Rockingham and Mandurah, while trains will continue to run between Perth and Rockingham. The DFES has warned that the fire may start moving quickly in a north-easterly direction, and has advised people east of Mandurah Road to make preparations now.
Response Efforts
The response to the fire has been swift, with multiple helicopters and water bombers being used to fight the blaze. The DFES has also warned residents about ember attacks, which could spark fires around their homes. Drivers have been asked to exercise extreme caution around the Warnbro area due to heavy smoke, and large sections of Safety Bay Road have been closed. The Lake Cooloongup Reserve, as well as a large portion of residential Warnbro, are under a watch and act alert, with at least three schools, a shopping centre, and a small private hospital in the affected area.
Personal Stories
Residents in the affected areas have been sharing their personal stories of the fire, with many describing it as a surreal experience. Warnbro resident Ross said he had endured a sleepless night and had never seen such intense smoke from a fire. Another resident, Mark Deller, jumped into action to defend a stranger’s property from the fire, saying "I’d like to think if someone else saw my house maybe being threatened, they would do the same for me." The fire has brought the community together, with many residents coming out to support each other and defend their homes.
Separate Fire in Benger
Meanwhile, about 100 kilometers further south, firefighters are tackling an emergency-level fire in the rural area of Benger, which is north-east of Bunbury in WA’s South-West. Non-essential workers have been evacuated from the Albemarle lithium plant, which is within the emergency warning area that also covers parts of Wellesley, Parkfield, and Wokalup in the Shire of Harvey. The fire jumped containment lines earlier in the day and blew smoke across the Forrest Highway, which is the main thoroughfare between Perth and Bunbury. A Watch and Act alert is in place for the coastal town of Binningup, on the other side of the highway.
Conclusion
The bushfire burning in Perth’s south is a serious threat to lives and homes, and residents in the affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of emergency services. The response to the fire has been swift, with multiple agencies working together to contain the blaze and protect the community. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.