DFES confirm Moonyoonooka bushfire sparked by farming machinery in paddock, taking 22 hours to contain

A bushfire in Moonyoonooka caused by farming machinery in a paddock on Tuesday was contained after almost 24 hours fighting the blaze. About 2pm a fire was sparked 10km east of the Geraldton City Speedway causing Geraldton-Mount Magnet Road to close from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday. Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued a watch and act warning to Geraldton and Moonyoonooka residents on Tuesday after the blaze engulfed part of the road near Ivan Goulds Road. Smoke was observed from town as a result of the blaze. “The fire started by a grain harvest header in that paddock,” a DFES spokesperson said. The fire started off Ivan Goulds Road and took firefighters almost 24 hours to contain due to strong wind gusts and hot weather. A DFES spokesperson said five appliances were at the scene actively fighting the fire while air support was on route to the scene at about 3.30pm. Air support included two water bombers and one air attack supervisor. DFES confirmed the fire was contained and controlled about 12pm on Wednesday and firefighters patrolled and mapped hotspots for the remainder of the afternoon. A Western Power spokesperson said around 280 homes had been affected by the bushfire and were on the ground working to restore power. “Several poles have been damaged and crews are working to repair. Ground and air patrols have been completed. The estimated restoration time is 4pm tomorrow.” The fire was downgraded to an advice warning overnight on Tuesday.