Residents and tourists caught in the still-uncontrolled Margaret River bushfire zone have spoken of their fears for their homes and property, and the importance of following evacuation orders from authorities.
More on the Margaret River bushfire emergency
Karridale homeowner Jade O'Shea was forced to evacuate his family from their property on Twenty Four Road and said with the memory of the 2011 Margaret River bushfires still in mind, he was taking no chances."
"I was driving back to Karridale from Margaret River about midday, watching how bloody angry the smoke plume was," Mr O'Shea told the Mail.
....we couldn't get back, which was unfortunate because I was abruptly told I had packed the wrong stuff for my wife.
- Jade O'Shea, Karridale homeowner
"It looked like a volcanic eruption! The closer to Karridale I got the scarier it looked, and after a quick call to my wife, who was at work, I went straight to the Karridale school and grabbed our kids.
"I went home, packed one bag each and a pillow, and both dogs and the cat.
"A couple of hours later Bussell Highway was closed and we couldn't get back, which was unfortunate because I was abruptly told I had packed the wrong stuff for my wife."
The family are now staying in Margaret River town and waiting for news of their home.
"That's three adults, three kids, four dogs, and a cat in a two bedroom unit," Mr O'Shea said.
"We're feeling fine now, yesterday was quite stressful seeing how huge the smoke plume was and the potential of friends' houses going up in Boranup forest.
"It'd be great if we could get home today obviously, but I'll leave that to the powers that be.
"We just have to wait it out now with a few beers and wines..."
Augusta Hotel employee Bradford Holz said the smoke plume over the town, near Cape Leeuwin, turned the sky a "burnt apricot" colour as he watched ash rain from the sky.
"The fire stopped north of Augusta yesterday evening, the wind changed direction and it started to rain a bit. It was a very scary day," he said.
At Karridale Primary School, children and teachers began evacuating the school at around 1.30pm on Thursday.
Local Lexie Elson said the skies were darkening by midday, and was hoping that containment lines at Forest Grove Road would hold.
Forest Grove homeowner Carolyn Forte said they chose to evacuate to stay with family in Margaret River as the threat neared their property.
"The water bombers look so massive when flying overhead, and so tiny against the smoky backdrop," she said.
"We can't stop a big one with willpower, so might as well relax. I really appreciate the whole community rallying with this."
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
