EMERGENCY WARNING: Fires burn east of Esperance

What you need to know.


Article heading image for EMERGENCY WARNING: Fires burn east of Esperance

Department of Fire and Emergency Services has upgraded the warnings for a fire burning east of Esperance.

A telephone warning message has been issued for this fire. 

 

A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING has been issued for people in an area bounded by Merivale Road to the north, Thomas River Road in Cape Arid National Park to the east, the coast to the south and Alexander Road to the west.

  • You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.

  • The alert level for this fire has been upgraded due to increased fire activity.

  • The fire started near the intersection of MERIVALE RD and EXCHANGE RD in HOWICK.

WHAT TO DO:


  • If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.

  • Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute is deadly.

  • If your plan is to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.

  • If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home and actively defend it.

  • If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.

  • Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:

  • It is out of control and unpredictable.


SAFER PLACE:


  • Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.

  • The Shire of Esperance has setup a temporary evacuation centre at the Esperance Civic Centre, Council Place, Esperance.

  • There is additional camping areas available next to the Esperance Recreation Centre. 

  • Be aware that only essential items can be taken into these centres. Alcohol and pets, except guide and assistance dogs, are prohibited.

PLACE OF LAST RESORT:

  • If you cannot shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, beach, shed, swimming pool, dam or building.

  • This may give you some protection from the effects of a bushfire.

  • Take water, woollen blankets and wear protective clothing.

 


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

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.

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

  • Cape Le Grand National Park 


WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

  • Firefighters are on the scene.

  • Career Fire and Rescue Service, 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.

  • The cause of the fire is lightning.

  • DFES is managing the fire.


KEEP UP TO DATE:

www.emergency.wa.gov.au

13 DFES (13 3337)

follow DFES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfes_wa

Facebook: https://facebook.com/dfeswa/

 

Full Details here: https://www.emergency.wa.gov.au/

 

Also in the South East there are several other fires to be aware of 

They include:

Bushfire Watch and Act - for CAPE LE GRAND NATIONAL PARK

Bushfire Watch and Act - parts of BOYATUP, HOWICK, BEAUMONT and CAPE ARID 
Bushfire Advice - Savage Road Neridup 
Bushfire Advice - Western parts of Norseman
Bushfire Advice - Eastern parts of Dundas
Bushfire Advice - Coolgardie Esperance Highway from Norseman to Salmon Gums
Bushfire Advice - North Eastern parts North Eastern of North Cascade
Bushfire Advice - North Western Parts Salmon Gums Townsite and North Cascade
Bushfire Advice - Parmango Road and Heywood Road Buraminya
Bushfire Advice - Widgemooltha and Eastern Part of Victoria Rock
All of the latest can be found at https://www.emergency.wa.gov.au/
Glenney Wilson

1 March 2019

Article by:

Glenney Wilson




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