Firefighters were battling to contain two bushfires in the Western Australian tourist hotspot of Margaret River on Thursday evening, with locals urged to “leave now” amid the out-of-control blazes.
An “extremely serious” bushfire that had ripped through the Leeuwin-Naturaliste national park had already burnt through more than 3,200 hectares in the area.
A second uncontrolled blaze was being fought in nearby Yallingup, south of Margaret River. Residents on the eastern side of Caves Road were being urged to evacuate with emergency warnings still in place on Thursday night.
The Fire and Emergency Services commissioner, Darren Klemm, said the fire was spreading fast in multiple directions with hot, dry and windy conditions expected to continue into the evening.
“The situation in this area is extremely serious. A number of properties are under threat on or about Caves Road,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“The safest option for people in this area is always to leave early. Don’t wait until the last minute.
“Strong winds, cave systems and (lack of) access for machinery are making it incredibly difficult to control the bushfires and people need to listen to the warnings that are being placed.”
The warning area had expanded significantly since an emergency alert was first issued on Wednesday. More than 100 firefighters were battling to strengthen containment lines.
Emergency WA issued a warning to avoid non-essential travel to the area, with visibility limited due to smoke. Motorists were urged to take extreme care and drive to conditions.
Farming properties on the eastern side of Caves Road were of particular concern as a trough passed through the area from the coast.
“Weather conditions are expected to remain difficult today and the community must stay alert, however we are hoping the conditions will improve in the next 24 hours,” Klemm said.
An evacuation centre had opened at Margaret River Recreation Centre, with a second centre opened at Geographe Leisure Centre on Thursday evening. A community meeting was held at 6pm on Thursday at Margaret River Heart.
Klemm said the cause of the fire was yet to be determined, playing down the presence of police arson squad officers in the area. He said anyone planning to travel to the Margaret River region from Perth should reconsider their plans.
Wednesday was the hottest night for Perth in seven years, dropping to just 26.8C at 5.30am.
Easterly winds were continuing on Thursday but the outlook for next week was cooler in the capital city.
Earlier today, the WA premier, Mark McGowan, urged residents to follow official updates on the blaze.
“It’s potentially going to jump Caves Road later on today and if it does that it’ll be into a farmland area, so that’s in the proximity of more residences as well,” he told reporters. “There’s very high fuel loads so it’s obviously burning quite ferociously.”
A large aerial tanker was being deployed and another was expected to arrive from New South Wales.
The bushfire started near the intersection of Caves Road and Calgardup Road in Boranup, almost 300km south of Perth.
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Hot and windy conditions had made life difficult for firefighters with the temperature reaching the mid-30s across the south-west on Thursday.
An emergency warning was also in place for people west of Caves Road between Spencer Road and Johnson Road in nearby Yallingup – including Quininup Road, Tilly Road and parts of the national park.
The fire was travelling fast in a south-westerly direction and aerial support had been sent to assist ground crews.
“People living on the ocean side of Tilly Road are at risk and need to evacuate now,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said.
Klemm said the Yallingup bushfire had originated at a house which was believed to have sustained some damage.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” a WA Emergency warning issued on Thursday evening said. “There is a threat to lives and homes. People living on the ocean side of Tilly Road are at risk and need to evacuate now.”
Two watch and act warnings were also issued for parts of Redgate, Witchcliffe, Forest Grove, Karridale, Kudardup, Deepdene and Hamelin Bay, east of Caves Road between Spencer Road and Johnson Road and areas near the coastline between Injidup beach car park and Moses Rock Road.