Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for northern part of CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK in SHIRE OF ESPERANCE

Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for northern part of CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK in SHIRE OF ESPERANCE

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT has been issued for people in or near the CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK in SHIRE OF ESPERANCE.

• The alert level for this fire has been upgraded due to an increase in fire activity.
• There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing. Campers in the area need to leave now via Cape Le Grand Road and Marivale Road towards Esperance.
• You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
• The fire started in the CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK

WHAT TO DO:

• If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
• If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.
• If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
• Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:

• The bushfire is moving slowly in a north easterly direction.
• It is out of control and unpredictable.

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:

• Cape Le Grand Road
• Dunns Road
• Wylie Beach access
• Hellfire Bay Road
• Coastal Walk Trail between Le Grand Beach and Hellfire Bay

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 SHIRE OF ESPERANCE.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

• Firefighters are on the scene.
• Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters are attending.

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 07:18 AM on 21 February 2019.
• 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/, listen to ABC Local Radio or listen to news bulletins.
Updates will be issued every two hours unless the situation changes.