Emergency Warning issued for fire in Southampton
West of Greenbushes
UPDATED: 7:00am
A fire is currently threatening homes near the town of Southampton in the Shires of Donnybrook-Balingup and Nannup, with residents being told to act immediately in order to survive.
A Bushfire Emergency Warning has been issued for people in an area bounded by the intersection of Cundinup-Kirup Road and Ferndale Road to the north, Southampton Road to the east, Barker Road to the south and Cundinup-Dudinyillup Road to the west.
Those residents unable to leave their properties need to shelter in their homes and get ready to defend. However if the way is clear, they should leave.
Those living on the west side of Nannup Balingup Road are being told to leave in a westerly direction. Those living on the east side of Southampton Road need to leave in an easterly direction.
At the moment, Nannup-Balingup Road between Brockman Bridge and Hay Road is closed to traffic, as well as Southampton Road at Glenarden intersection.
There is also a WATCH AND ACT in place for people in an area bounded by Vasse Highway to the west, Cundinup-Kirup Road, White Road, Claymore Road, Upper Capel Road to the north, Southwest Highway and Southampton Road to the east and Stallard Road to the south in the northern part of Southampton.
The fire was first reported just after 2:30pm and started near Radiata Road.
It's currently moving fast in a north-westerly direction, out of control and uncontrolled. There are also burning embers being blown around homes right now.
A community meeting has now been setup to give information to residents at the Nannup Community Centre at 12pm Wednesday.
Full alert from the Department of Parks and Wildlife below
UPDATED: 3:28am
Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for the central part of SOUTHAMPTON in SHIRES OF DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP and NANNUP
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING has been issued for people in an area bounded by the intersection of Cundinup-Kirup Road and Ferndale Road to the north, Southampton Road to the east, Barker Road to the south and Cundinup-Dudinyillup Road to the west in the central part of Southampton in the Shires of Donnybrook-Balingup and Nannup.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
The fire started near Radiata Road
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 WATCH AND ACT for the northern part of SOUTHAMPTON in SHIRE OF DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire WATCH AND ACT has been issued for people in an area bounded by Vasse Highway to the west, Cundinup-Kirup Road, White Road, Claymore Road, Upper Capel Road to the north, Southwest Highway and Southampton Road to the east and Stallard Road to the south in the northern part of Southampton in the Shires of Donnybrook-Balingup and Nannup.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.
You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
The fire started near Radiata Road in SOUTHAMPTON
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 westerly direction.
It is out of control and uncontained.
Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.
SAFEST ROUTE:
If you live on the west side of Nannup Balingup Road, leave in a westerly direction.If you live on the east side of Southampton Road, leave in an easterly direction.
ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:
Avoid the area and be aware of fire and emergency services personnel working on site.
The following roads are closed:
Nannup-Balingup Road between Brockman Bridge and Hay Road
Southampton Road at Glenarden intersection
The Bibbulmun Track is closed between Spring Valley Road and the Southampton Bridge including the Blackwood Campsite.
Wrights Bridge Recreation site is closed.
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 DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP.
COMMUNITY MEETING:
A community meeting will be held at the Nannup Community Centre at 12pm today (Wednesday).
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:
- Firefighters are on the scene, actively fighting the fire, conducting backburning and building containment lines.
90 Parks and Wildlife Service, local bushfire brigade and FPC firefighters are attending.
- Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.
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 02:42 PM on 19 February 2019.
Currently there has been 1500 hectares burnt.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Parks and Wildlife Service is managing the fire.