Australia: Emergency crews responding to bushfire south of Dwellingup, south of Perth, March 25

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued an Emergency Warning for a bushfire in the area west of Nanga Townsite, south of Dwellingup in the Shire of Murray and Shire of Waroona, Western Australia, as of March 25. The fire started during the early afternoon of March 23 and is moving slowly in a westerly direction; the fire is out of control and not contained. The fire has burned approximately 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres). Around 250 firefighting personnel are on site tackling the blaze. The bushfire is threatening homes in the area and officials have advised residents in the area to take immediate action to protect themselves from the hazards associated with the fire.

The DFES has issued the following bushfire warnings in the vicinity of the fire:

• Emergency Warning (the highest level on a three-tier scale): for the area east of South Western Highway, between Greenlands Road roundabout and Peel Road, bounded by Pinjarra Williams Road, Farley Road, Lane Poole Reserve, Murray River, Nanga Road, Nanga Brook Road, and Peel Road, excluding the townsite of Waroona. The warning includes the Meelon townsite and properties in the vicinity of Ridgeview Drive, and Nanga townsite in parts of Blythewood, Coolup, Meelon, Nanga Brook, Oakley, Teesdale, and Waroona in the shires of Waroona and Murray.

• Watch and Act: in three separate areas in parts of Blythewood, Coolup, Marrinup, Meelon, Nanga Brook, Oakley, Teesdale, and Waroona in the shires of Waroona and Murray. The first area is bounded by Pinjarra-Williams Road, Scarp Road, and Oakley Dam. The second area is west of the South Western Highway, bounded by Greenlands Road, Sutters Lane, Brownes Road, Mayfield Road, and Somers Road. The third area is east of the Nanga Brook Road and Scarp Road intersection including parts of Nanga Brook.

• Advice: for residents to the east and west of Waroona townsite, south of Nanga Brook Road and west of South Western Highway to Somers Road, west of Mayfield Road to Forrest Highway, north of Greenlands Road to Old Mandurah Road and Morrell Road, including Pinjarra townsite, and east of Scarp Road and Farley Road including Marrinup State Forrest, Dwellingup townsite and northern parts of Lane Poole Reserve in the Shire of Waroona and Shire of Murray.

The DFES has instructed people in the Emergency Warning to evacuate in a westerly direction if it is safe to do so. Officials advised people in the Watch and Act areas to leave whilst the way is clear, and warned those in the advice areas of smoke in the area and to remain alert in case the situation changes. Authorities have established an evacuation center at Murray Aquatic and Recreation Centre, 16 Camp Road, Pinjarra. Reports indicate that two homes have been destroyed. Several roads in the affected area are closed, including Nanga Brook Road. All campgrounds and recreational sites within Lane Poole Reserve are closed, including Scarp Pool and Scarp Lookout. Lake Navarino Holiday Park is also closed. The DFES may extend or rescind warnings and evacuation orders over the coming hours and days. Authorities have not provided an estimated containment date for the fire; further fire growth is possible.

The status of roads can change over the coming hours and days; authorities could close routes within the fire complex and evacuate more communities due to fire activity and response operations needs. Traffic disruptions are also likely during reentry periods after authorities lift evacuation orders. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall could contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region.

Smoke and ashfall from bushfires may cause poor air quality in the impacted parts of Western Australia. Power outages and utilities that rely on electricity could experience outages within and near the wildfire complex.

Smoke from fires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, and possibly building materials. Such smoke can hurt the eyes, irritate the respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Smoke may also worsen symptoms for people with preexisting respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).