Key Takeaways
- A fast-moving bushfire is threatening the town of Boddington, south-east of Perth, with residents urged to evacuate immediately.
- The fire has quadrupled in size on Christmas Day, burning through 1,704 hectares of land.
- An evacuation centre has been opened in the town of Williams, with over 1,135 homes and businesses in the area without power.
- A second emergency warning has been issued for a fire burning north of Perth in the rural locality of Cowalla.
- Power outages have been reported in several areas, including Margaret River and Walpole, due to bushfires.
Introduction to the Bushfire Crisis
The town of Boddington, located south-east of Perth, is facing a severe bushfire crisis, with residents being told to evacuate immediately. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has upgraded the fire to an Emergency Warning for the second time in the past 24 hours, citing the fire’s fast movement towards the town site. The fire is out of control and has burned through 1,704 hectares of land, with strong winds and undulating topography making it challenging for firefighters to contain.
The Situation in Boddington
The townsite of Boddington has been placed under an emergency warning, with residents who are still in the town being urged to leave towards Williams immediately. An evacuation centre has been opened at the Williams Sport Pavilion, providing a safe haven for those affected by the fire. The fire is burning in a forest between a rural housing estate and an area surrounding the Boddington Gold Mine, with most people working at the mine being evacuated on Christmas Eve. However, a small group of mine workers remains, providing support with machinery and emergency response teams.
Firefighting Efforts
The DFES has deployed over 18 firefighting appliances, with 13 planes supporting ground crews, to combat the fire. Perth metropolitan career firefighters have also been called in to help the local volunteer firefighters. Despite these efforts, the fire remains uncontained, with changing winds causing hop overs and making it difficult for firefighters to gain control. The fire has also caused major blackouts, with over 1,135 homes and businesses in Boddington, Williams, and the surrounding areas without power.
Impact on Local Communities
The bushfire has had a significant impact on local communities, with several rural properties now within the emergency warning zone. The local hospital has also been evacuated, with people being redirected to Armadale. One gold mine worker, who wished to remain anonymous, described the situation as "a bit worrying," but noted that everyone at the workers’ camp is safe and preparing to evacuate. The smoke plume from the Boddington bushfire could be seen 120km away from Perth’s CBD, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Other Bushfires in the Region
A second emergency warning has been issued for a fire burning north of Perth in the rural locality of Cowalla, in the Shire of Gingin. This fire has caused blackouts in 2,454 homes and businesses, including the coastal tourist towns of Lancelin and Ledge Point. Another bushfire in WA’s South West has triggered an unplanned power outage, cutting electricity to the town of Margaret River, one of WA’s most popular tourist towns. Over 4,200 households have been without power since about 2:30pm, with Western Power working to restore electricity by 10:30pm.
Power Outages and Disruptions
The power outages have caused significant disruptions to daily life, with many residents and businesses affected. The town of Walpole is also without power, with 672 customers affected by an unplanned outage. Western Power has stated that crews are en route to the area to assess the damage and begin repair and restoration work. The outages come as Christmas temperatures soar to almost 40 degrees in the town, adding to the challenges faced by residents and emergency responders.
Conclusion and Ongoing Response
The bushfire crisis in Boddington and surrounding areas is a severe and ongoing situation, with residents and emergency responders working together to combat the fires and restore power to affected areas. The DFES and other emergency services are continuing to monitor the situation and provide updates, with the public urged to stay informed and follow evacuation orders. As the situation develops, it is essential for residents and visitors to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.