Bushfires Threaten Multiple Towns in WA

Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNINGS Issued for Several Towns in WA

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said the emergency situation had escalated and the towns of Harvey, Cookernup, Wokalup and surrounding areas could be hit within hours.

Residents in the towns in Western Australia’s South West have been urged to evacuate their properties as bushfires ravage the area.

• Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNINGS has been issued for East of Waroona, Hamel, Cookernup, Yarloop, Harvey and surrounding areas in the Shires of Harvey and Waroona.

• EMERGENCY WARNINGS has been issued for south of the South Coast Highway in the Dalyup area, west of Esperance in the Shire of Esperance.

Meanwhile, Human remains were discovered in two houses in Yarloop, in Western Australia’s South West region, which was devastated by bushfire.

DFES has issued the following statement:

Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for East of Waroona, Hamel, Cookernup, Yarloop, Harvey and surrounding areas in the Shires of Harvey and Waroona
Saturday 9 January 2016 – 9:43 PM

A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING remains for people in an area bounded by Old Coast Road, south of Coronation Road, South Western Highway, McDowell Road, Nanga Brook Road, Dawn Creek Road, south to Murray River Fire line, Driver Road, Logue Brook Dam Road, Dupont Road, Tallanalla Road, Myles Avenue, Mornington Road, South Western Highway, Mitchell Road, east to Wellesley Road, Forrest Highway north to Old Coast Road.

This includes east of Waroona, Hamel, Cookernup, Yarloop, Harvey townsite and surrounding areas. It doesn’t include the Waroona townsite.

• There is a threat to lives and homes in Harvey, Cookernup, Wokalup and surroundings areas.
• Unless you are ready and prepared to actively defend your property, evacuate to the south via the South Western Highway if safe to do so.

BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOR:

A number of breakouts to the south have occurred as a result of fluctuating wind conditions.

• The bushfire is moving in a south easterly direction.
• The fire remains uncontained and is not yet controlled.
• Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.

Related Links

• Monster Bushfire Destroys Town in W. Australia January 8, 2016