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Kwinana Freeway closed as out of control bushfire rages on in Perth’s south

Claire OttavianoThe West Australian
A house on Thomas Road goes up in flames.
Camera IconA house on Thomas Road goes up in flames. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The Sunday Times

Firefighters are desperately attempting to save homes and businesses from an out of control bushfire raging in Perth’s southern suburbs with at least one home lost in the devastation this afternoon.

Despite urgent efforts from water bombers, the fibro home on Thomas Street near Marri Park Drive was quickly engulfed without mercy.

It isn’t clear whether the home was occupied but it is confirmed nobody was inside as the flames took hold.

Fire crews remain trying to save a neighbouring property 200m away.

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A bushfire rages near Thomas Road.
Camera IconA bushfire rages near Thomas Road. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The Sunday Times

Oakford residents away from the fire zone have turned to social media with dozens offering to help their rural neighbours, opening up their homes and paddocks as well as providing transport for horses, livestock and pets.

It is also understood that while customers and staff have been evacuated from Marri Park Golf Course, the owners are staying to actively defend the property assisted by a roof sprinkler system supplied by portable water.

Kwinana Freeway between Mortimer and Anketell Roads is now closed.

A threat to lives and homes remains in place for residents in Oakford, Casuarina, Banjup, Hammond Park, Forrestdale, Wandi, Wellard, Anketell and Oldbury.

Wind blows strong in the trees as a firefighter heads to the back of this house to see how close the flames are.
Camera IconWind blows strong in the trees as a firefighter heads to the back of this house to see how close the flames are. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The Sunday Times
A woman is distraught after being told she can’t return to her home due to the bushfire.
Camera IconA woman is distraught after being told she can’t return to her home due to the bushfire. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The Sunday Times

The emergency warning is for people in an area bounded by Rowley Road, Kwinana Freeway, Mortimer Road, King Road, Thomas Road and Nicholson Road.

The bushfire is moving quickly in a north-west direction and is out of control and unpredictable.

Evacuation centres have been set up at Briggs Park Pavilion on the corner of Mead Street and Gordin Way in Byford, and Kwinana Recquatic on the corner of Skerne Street and Robbos Way in Kwinana.

DFES district officer Russell Wells said up to 150 fire crews and 50 fire appliances would be working well into the evening fighting the fire.

A bushfire is threatening homes and property in Oakford today.
Camera IconA bushfire is threatening homes and property in Oakford today. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
A bushfire is threatening homes and property in Oakford today.
Camera IconA bushfire is threatening homes and property in Oakford today. Credit: Andrew Kilburn

“Crews will definitely be here into the evening,” he said. “We are definitely going to be here overnight and into tomorrow I would say and possibly for the next few days.

“There’s certainly some challenging conditions ahead. The broader outlook for the next four days is going to give us some concerns.”

Mr Wells said the fire could very quickly double in size.

“It’s a developing situation,” he said, adding that the wind conditions was making back burning very difficult.

“At the moment the focus is on protecting life and property,” he said.

Fear gave way to panic and distress for many residents trying to bypass road blocks in an attempt to get home this evening.

A number of people chose to ignore warnings to stay away from the area with one motorist breaking down in tears after being told by traffic police she could not return to her property.

Police and firefighters were relentless in their efforts to keep everyone safe as they continued to turn away desperate residents.

Weather conditions also continue to hinder efforts to contain the blaze with wind gusts of up to 41km/h recorded at 7pm.

A bushfire is threatening homes and property in Oakford today.
Camera IconA bushfire is threatening homes and property in Oakford today. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
A bushfire is threatening homes and property in Oakford today.
Camera IconA bushfire is threatening homes and property in Oakford today. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for parts of OAKFORD, CASUARINA, BANJUP, HAMMOND PARK, FORRESTDALE, WANDI, WELLARD, ANKETELL and OLDBURY in SHIRE OF SERPENTINE-JARRAHDALE, CITY OF ARMADALE and CITY OF KWINANA

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING is in place for people in an area bounded by Rowley Road, Kwinana Freeway, Mortimer Road, King Road, Thomas Road and Nicholson Road in parts of OAKFORD, CASUARINA, BANJUP, HAMMOND PARK, FORRESTDALE, WANDI, WELLARD, ANKETELL and OLDBURY in SHIRE OF SERPENTINE-JARRAHDALE, CITY OF ARMADALE and CITY OF KWINANA.

  • 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 as the fire is moving quickly in a westerly direction and is out of control and unpredictable.
  • The fire started near the MODONG NATURE RESERVE in OAKFORD.

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.
  • Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
  • If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.
  • Go to a room in your home away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.
  • Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
  • If you are not at home, it’s too dangerous to return.

If you are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19:

  • You should leave and find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area.
  • If you are unable to return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency.
  • Regardless of your location, continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for parts of PARMELIA, THE SPECTACLES, MANDOGALUP, CALISTA, ORELIA, MEDINA, KWINANA TOWN CENTRE, POSTANS, HOPE VALLEY and BERTRAM in the CITY OF KWINANA

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT is in place for people in an area bounded by Sulphur Road, Gilmore Avenue, Abercrombie Road, Anketell Road and Kwinana Freeway in parts of PARMELIA, THE SPECTACLES, MANDOGALUP, CALISTA, ORELIA, MEDINA, KWINANA TOWN CENTRE, POSTANS, HOPE VALLEY, BERTRAM in the CITY OF KWINANA.

  • There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.
  • The fire started near the MODONG NATURE RESERVE in OAKFORD.

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 plan to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. You need to have access to an independent water supply, and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.
  • At all times close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
  • If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.

If you are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19 and plan to leave:

  • Leave now and find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area.
  • If you are unable to return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency.
  • Regardless of your location, continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

Bushfire ADVICE for parts of CALISTA, MEDINA, NAVAL BASE, POSTANS, KWINANA BEACH and HOPE VALLEY in the CITY OF ROCKINGHAM and CITY OF KWINANA

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire ADVICE is in place for people in an area bounded by Abercrombie Road, Gilmore Avenue, Summerton Road, Patterson Road, Rockingham Road and Anketell Road in parts of CALISTA, MEDINA, NAVAL BASE, POSTANS, KWINANA BEACH, HOPE VALLEY in the CITY OF ROCKINGHAM and CITY OF KWINANA.

  • 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.
  • The fire started near the of MODONG NATURE RESERVE in OAKFORD.

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 is moving fast in a west north westerly direction.
  • 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.
  • Evacuation centres have been set up at Serpentine-Jarrahdale Recreation Centre on the corner of Mead Street and Gordin Way in Byford, and Kwinana Recquatic on the corner of Skerne Street and Robbos Way in Kwinana.
  • People who are self-isolating or quarantining should find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area if possible.
  • If this is not possible, proceed to the evacuation centre and identify yourself to centre staff immediately on arrival.
  • Continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
  • Please take any essential items such as medications and identification to the evacuation centre.
  • Pets (except recognised assistance animals) are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons, so you should make alternative arrangements for them. If this is not possible, please still proceed to the evacuation centre with your pets and await further advice.

SAFEST ROUTE:

It is safe to leave in a westerly direction along Thomas Road, Anketell Road or Rowley Road.

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:

  • Kwinana Freeway is closed in both directions from Mortimer Road to Anketell Road
  • Anketell Road from Kwinana Freeway to Thomas Road
  • Thomas Road from Anketell Road to Bombay Boulevard
  • Tuart Road from Anketell Road to Thomas Road
  • Cumming Road between Orton Road and Thomas Road
  • King Road between Orton Road and Thomas Road
  • McLaughlan Road between Thomas Road and Anketell 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 travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting the SHIRE OF SERPENTINE-JARRAHDALE.

POWER:

Western Power has advised parts of Casuarina, Oakford, Anketell and Olbury are without power.

For further details visit www.westernpower.com.au.

REGISTER.FIND.REUNITE:

Register with Register.Find.Reunite to let your family and loved ones know you're OK and where you will be relocating to via https://register.redcross.org.au from any computer or mobile device or in person at the temporary evacuation centre.

If you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been planning to be in the area, enquire about their whereabouts through the online Register.Find.Reunite system at https://register.redcross.org.au.

TRANSPORT:

Travel along the Mandurah train line has been impacted. Visit www.transperth.wa.gov.au/service-updates for futher service disruption details.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

  • Firefighters are on the scene, actively fighting the fire.
  • 150 Career Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Parks and Wildlife Service, Bush Fire Service, State Emergency Service 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 11:13 AM on 16 January 2021.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.

Updates will be issued every hour unless the situation changes.

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