Update 5.45pm Wednesday February 20:
Please note BALINGUP is now included in the WATCH and ACT AREA.
A community meeting will be held Thursday 21st February at the BALINGUP TOWN HALL, Jayes Road, Balingup at 1:00pm.
Balingup Primary School is CLOSED Thursday 21 February.
EMERGENCY WARNING for parts of SOUTHAMPTON and CUNDINUP in SHIRES OF DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP and NANNUP
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING has been issued for people in an area bounded by Cundinup-Kirup Road, Ferndale Road and Hay Road to the north, Southampton Road to the east, Millstream Road, Barker Road, Spur Road and Matterhorn Road to the south and Cundinup-Dudinyillup Road to the west in parts of SOUTHAMPTON and CUNDINUP in SHIRES OF DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP and NANNUP.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
The fire started near the intersection of RADIATA ROAD in SOUTHAMPTON
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.
If your plan is to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.
Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
WATCH AND ACT for BALINGUP and parts of SOUTHAMPTON in SHIRES OF DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP and NANNUP
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire WATCH AND ACT has been issued for people in the area bounded by Vasse Highway to the west, Cundinup-Kirup Road, Jarrahwood Road, Claymore Road, Upper Capel Road to the north, South Western Highway and Maranup Ford Road to the east and Brockman Highway to the south in the parts of SOUTHAMPTON and BALINGUP in SHIRES OF DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP, BRIDGETOWN-GREENBUSHES and NANNUP.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.
You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
This includes the BALINGUP TOWNSITE
This does not include the townsites KIRUP, MULLALYUP, GREENBUSHES and NANNUP in SHIRES OF DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP and NANNUP. These townsites are covered by the BUSHFIRE ADVICE.
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 are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
ADVICE for the townsites of KIRUP, MULLALYUP, GREENBUSHES and NANNUP in the SHIRES of DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP, BRIDGETOWN-GREENBUSHES and NANNUP
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire ADVICE has been issued for people in the townsites of KIRUP, MULLALYUP, GREENBUSHES and NANNUP in the SHIRES of DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP, BRIDGETOWN-GREENBUSHES and NANNUP.
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 west-north-westerly direction.
It is out of control and unpredictable.
Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.
SAFER PLACE:
Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
The Department for Communities has set up a temporary evacuation centre at Nannup Recreation and Community Centre, Warren Road in Nannup.
Be aware that only essential items can be taken into these centres. Alcohol and pets, except guide and assistance dogs, are prohibited.
PLACE OF LAST RESORT:
If you cannot shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, beach, shed, swimming pool, dam or building.
This may give you some protection from the effects of a bushfire.
Take water, woollen blankets and wear protective clothing.
SAFEST ROUTE:
If you are in the warning area, travel along the Balingup-Nannup towards NANNUP or Southampton Road to the Brockman Highway to NANNUP. .
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:
Balingup-Nannup Road between Brockman Bridge and Hay Road
Southampton Road at Glenarden Road intersection
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 www.mainroads.wa.gov.au OR by contacting the SHIRES OF DONNYBROOK-BALINGUP or NANNUP.
RECREATION SITES:
Bibbulmun Track is closed between Spring Valley Road and the Southampton Bridge including the Blackwood Campsite.
Wrights Bridge Recreation Site is also closed.
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:
Firefighters are on the scene, actively fighting the fire, building containment lines.
Approximately 200 Career Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service, Parks and Wildlife Service and Forest Products Commission 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 02:42 PM on 19 February 2019.
Currently there has been 2,300 hectares burnt.
DFES is managing the fire.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: https://facebook.com/dfeswa/, listen to ABC Local Radio or listen to news bulletins.
Updates will be issued every hour unless the situation changes.
