Australia: Emergency crews responding to bushfire in the Shire of Denmark, Western Australia, April 25

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued an Emergency Warning for a bushfire in the Walpole Wilderness Area in the Shire of Denmark, Western Australia, as of April 25. The fire broke out around 03:50 April 25 and is threatening homes in the region. The fire has burned approximately 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) and is moving in a westerly direction; the fire is neither contained nor controlled.

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 bounded by Kangaroo Road, Dingo Flat Road, Hazelvale Road, Loop Road, Collis Road, Valley of The Giants Road, and Vigus Road and Trent Block to the north and east in parts of Hazelvale and Trent in the Shire of Denmark.

• Watch and Act: for the area bounded by Kangaroo Road, Hoots Road, Middle Road, Valley of the Giants Road, and Talbot Road in parts of Hazelvale, Tingledale, Bow Bridge, and Trent in the Shire of Denmark.

• Advice: for the area in the vicinity of the Nornalup and Middle Road junction, and the Middle and Boronia Road junction in the southern part of Walpole Wilderness Area in the Shire of Denmark.

• Smoke Alert Advice: Walpole, Nornalup, and surrounds.

The DFES has instructed people in the Emergency Warning to leave immediately if the way is clear and to evacuate in a westerly direction toward Walpole or a southerly direction toward Peaceful Bay. Officials have advised people in the Watch and Act to leave if they are not well prepared. 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 southwestern 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).