Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for HOWICK, BOYATUP and CAPE ARID in the SHIRE OF ESPERANCE

Alert Downgraded


Article heading image for Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for HOWICK, BOYATUP and CAPE ARID in the SHIRE OF ESPERANCE

Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for HOWICK, BOYATUP and CAPE ARID in the SHIRE OF ESPERANCE

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT has been issued for people in an area bounded by Fisheries Road to the north, Cape Arid National Park to the east, the coast to the south, and Exchange Road to the west, and surrounding areas in parts of HOWICK, BOYATUP and CAPE ARID in the SHIRE of ESPERANCE.

  • The alert level for this fire has been downgraded as conditions have eased and fire behaviour has reduced.
  • There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area.
  • You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
  • The fire started near the intersection of MERIVALE RD and EXCHANGE RD in HOWICK

WHAT TO DO:

  • Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
  • Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
  • Drive with caution due to smoke in the area.
  • Close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
  • Continue to action your bushfire survival plan.
  • Keep up to date with alerts and warnings.


Bushfire ADVICE for parts of BEAUMONT, CAPE ARID, HOWICK, BOYATUP, BURAMINYA and CAPE ARID NATIONAL PARK in the SHIRE OF ESPERANCE

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire ADVICE has been issued for people in or near Alexander Road, Henkes Road, Howick Road, Muntz Road, Orleans Road, Shao Lu Road, north of Fisheries Road, and west of Balladonia Road and surrounding areas parts of BEAUMONT, CAPE ARID, HOWICK, BOYATUP, BURAMINYA and CAPE ARID NATIONAL PARK in the SHIRE OF ESPERANCE.

  • There is no threat to lives or homes.
  • Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.
  • There are fires burning throughout the advice warning area, and people are urged to remain vigilant
  • There may be smoke in the area.

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.

BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:

 

The bushfire behaviour in the Watch and Act area has reduced and conditions have eased.

The bushfire burning at Boyatup in the Advice area is now stationary.


SAFER PLACE:

  • Anyone requiring emergency accommodation should call the Department of Communities Crisis Care helpline on 1800 199 008.


SAFEST ROUTE:
The safest route is to leave via Fisheries Road in a westerly direction towards Esperance.


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:

  • Merivale Road
  • Fisheries Road 
  • Balladonia Road

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 www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting the Shire of Esperance.

PARK AND RECREATION AREA CLOSURES:

All nature based campsites east of Esperance have been closed. These include: 

  • Alexander Bay 
  • Kennedy's Beach 
  • Cape Arid National Park

Other closures in the Shire of Esperance and Shire of Dundas include:

  • Cape Le Grand National Park (open to day visitors today Saturday 2 March, new campers will be welcome from Sunday 3 March) 
  • Hellfire Bay Day Use Area
  • Frank Hann National Park
  • Peak Charles National Park
  • Dundas Nature Reserve

For more information on park closures please visit https://alerts.dbca.wa.gov.au/ 


WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

  • Firefighters are strengthening containment lines.
  • 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.
  • Local farmer units are also assisting at this fire.
  • The Shire of Esperance, State Emergency Service volunteers, St John Ambulance and WA Police 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 06:46 AM on 1 March 2019.
  • Currently there has been 1063 hectares burnt.
  • The cause of the fire is lightning.
  • DFES is managing the fire.


KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: https://facebook.com/dfeswa/

Triple M Staff

2 March 2019

Article by:

Triple M Staff




Listen Live!

Up Next