Kwinana bushfire downgraded to watch and act

Firefighters have gained the upper-hand on a bushfire burning in Kwinana with the emergency warning downgraded to a watch and act.

The fire, which has burnt through 240 hectares, started near the intersection of Thomas Road and Gilmore Avenue in Orelia around 12.30pm on Sunday.

It is moving slowly in a westerly direction and is not contained or under control.

120 firefighters remain on the scene, actively fighting the blaze.

A watch and act is now in place for parts of The Spectacles, Orelia, Medina, Naval Base, Postans, Kwinana Beach and Hope Valley.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes.

PIC: Damion Zanotti/Facebook

PIC: Kay Buck

LATEST DFES ALERT:

Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for parts of PARMELIA, THE SPECTACLES, ORELIA, MEDINA, NAVAL BASE, POSTANS and KWINANA BEACH and HOPE VALLEY in the CITY OF KWINANA

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT is in place for people bounded by Anketell Road to the north, McLaughlan Road to the east, Summerton and Sulphur Roads to the south, Mason and Mandurah Roads and the coast to the west in PARMELIA, THE SPECTACLES, ORELIA, MEDINA, POSTANS and KWINANA BEACH in the CITY OF KWINANA.

• There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and the conditions are changing.

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 NAVAL BASE, KWINANA BEACH, HOPE VALLEY, ORELIA, PAMELIA, CALISTA, LEDA, MEDINA, KWINANA TOWN CENTRE, EAST ROCKINGHAM in the CITY OF ROCKINGHAM AND CITY OF KWINANA

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire ADVICE is in place for people bounded by Hope Valley Road to the north, Postans Road to the east, Anketell Road to the south and out to the coast in NAVAL BASE, KWINANA BEACH and HOPE VALLEY in the CITY OF KWINANA. An additional Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Sulphur and Summerton Road to the north, Parmelia Avenue to the east, Wellard and Office Road to the south and to the coast in PARMELIA, CALISTA, ORELIA, LEDA, MEDINA, KWINANA TOWN CENTRE and EAST ROCKINGHAM 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.

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 slowly in a westerly direction.
• It is not contained or under control.
• Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.

SAFEST ROUTE:

If you're south of Thomas Road, leave in a southerly direction. If you're north of Anketell Road, leave in a northerly direction.

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:

• Thomas Road from Rockingham Road to Gilmore Ave
• Abercrombie Road between Anketell Road and Thomas Road

Rockingham Road has reopened in both directions with speed restrictions in place (40km/h).  

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 City of Kwinana.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

• Firefighters are on the scene, actively fighting the fire.
• 120 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.
• City of Kwinana, WA Police, Western Power, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and St John Ambulance are also in attendance

EXTRA INFORMATION:

• The fire was reported at 12:38 PM on 3 January 2021.
• Currently there has been 240 hectares burnt.
• The cause of the fire is undetermined.
• DFES is managing the fire.