Key Takeaways
- A Christmas Day emergency-level fire came within a few kilometers of the Boddington town site, 130 kilometers south-east of Perth.
- The fire has burnt through nearly 3,700 hectares and remains neither contained nor controlled.
- Fire crews worked through the night to keep the large fire at bay, with 40 fire appliances and 13 aircraft available.
- Some residents spent Christmas night in an evacuation centre in the nearby town of Williams, while others remained in town to help.
- The fire’s behavior is erratic, with a serious risk of spot fires presented by embers.
Introduction to the Fire
A devastating fire broke out on Christmas Day, coming within a few kilometers of the Boddington town site, located 130 kilometers south-east of Perth. The fire, which remains neither contained nor controlled, has burnt through nearly 3,700 hectares of land. Fire crews worked tirelessly through the night to keep the large fire at bay, with 40 fire appliances and 13 aircraft available to assist in the efforts. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) downgraded the fire to a Watch and Act on Friday morning as conditions improved due to increased humidity and consolidated containment lines.
Firefighters’ Efforts
The firefighters have done an incredible job protecting homes, and at this stage, there are no reports of property loss at either of the emergency level fires. DFES Assistant Commissioner Stuart Wade praised the firefighters, saying they have done an "incredible job" in protecting homes. He also noted that while conditions were favorable overnight, expected wind increases during the day will make it challenging for crews. The fire’s behavior is erratic, with a serious risk of spot fires presented by embers. The fire has been burning for two weeks, but flared up with the heat, starting a spot fire closer to town than anticipated.
Evacuation and Response
The Boddington Shire President, Eugene Smalberger, said about 50 people fled to the evacuation centre at the Sports Pavilion in nearby town of Williams, many with animals. The evacuation centre provided a safe haven for those who had to leave their homes due to the fire. Smalberger noted that everyone has seen the glow and realized that this is a serious situation and to get out. Some older people were reluctant to leave, but were convinced to stay for the night. The fire has been burning for two weeks, but the recent heat caused it to flare up, starting a spot fire closer to town than anticipated.
Community Response
Residents of Boddington have come together to help each other during this difficult time. Mark, a resident who remained in town on Thursday night to help, said the fire was "racing across the hills" and burnt a lot of timber around 5pm on Thursday night. Deputy Shire president Paul Carrotts left his family Christmas in Mandurah to come home to Boddington to help out. He thanked the firefighters who worked all throughout Christmas Day, and the nearby town of Williams for taking in evacuated residents. The community is grateful for the efforts of the firefighters and the support of neighboring towns.
Mining Camp and Evacuation
The ABC received reports on Thursday night that a number of workers remained at the mining camp south-east of Newmont’s Boddington gold mine, near where the fire was burning. Newmont told the ABC on Friday that all workers had the option to leave, but about 70 chose to stay on site — which had been designated as a safe zone — rather than navigating roads impacted by fallen trees and power lines. Newmont said others had chosen to stay to assist firefighters. Following reports of delayed evacuations on Wednesday night, Newmont also clarified that DFES had determined the fire was too close to the mine’s blasting zone, which contains explosives, meaning workers had to wait in the car park to be escorted.
Conclusion and Ongoing Efforts
The fire in Boddington is a reminder of the importance of preparedness and community support during emergency situations. The firefighters, along with the support of the community, have worked tirelessly to keep the fire at bay. The fire’s erratic behavior and risk of spot fires presented by embers make it a challenging situation. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities. The community will continue to come together to support each other and rebuild in the aftermath of this devastating fire.