Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING Perth southern suburbs Western Australia

A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING is current for people in an area bounded by Rowley Road, Kwinana Freeway, Mortimer Road, King Road and Thomas Road in parts of OAKFORD, CASUARINA, THE SPECTACLES, MANDOGALUP, BANJUP, HAMMOND PARK, BERTRAM, FORRESTDALE, AUBIN GROVE, WANDI, WELLARD, ANKETELL and OLDBURY in SHIRE OF SERPENTINE-JARRAHDALE, CITY OF COCKBURN, CITY OF ARMADALE and CITY OF KWINANA. 🔥

You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
The fire started near the MODONG NATURE RESERVE in OAKFORD.

Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING Perth southern suburbs Western Australia

A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING is in place for people in an area bounded by Rowley Road, Kwinana Freeway, Mortimer Road, King Road, Thomas Road and Nicholson Road in parts of OAKFORD, CASUARINA, THE SPECTACLES, MANDOGALUP, BANJUP, HAMMOND PARK, BERTRAM, FORRESTDALE, AUBIN GROVE, WANDI, WELLARD, ANKETELL and OLDBURY in SHIRE OF SERPENTINE-JARRAHDALE, CITY OF COCKBURN, CITY OF ARMADALE and CITY OF KWINANA.

You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.

The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as the fire is moving quickly in a westerly direction and is out of control and unpredictable.

The fire started near the MODONG NATURE RESERVE in OAKFORD.

Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING 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.

Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.

Go to a room in your home away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.

Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.

If you are not at home, it’s too dangerous to return.

If you are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID-19:

You should leave and find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area.

If you are unable to return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency.

Regardless of your location, continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:

The bushfire is moving fast in a northwesterly direction. It is out of control and unpredictable.

SAFER PLACE:

Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.

Evacuation centres have been set up at Briggs Park Pavilion on the corner of Mead Street and Gordin Way in Byford, and Kwinana Recquatic on the corner of Skerne Street and Robbos Way in Kwinana.

People who are self-isolating or quarantining should find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area if possible.

If this is not possible, proceed to the evacuation centre and identify yourself to centre staff immediately on arrival.

Continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

Please take any essential items such as medications and identification to the evacuation centre.

Pets (except recognised assistance animals) are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons, so you should make alternative arrangements for them. If this is not possible, please still proceed to the evacuation centre with your pets and await further advice.

SAFEST ROUTE:
It is safe to leave in a westerly direction along Thomas Road, Anketell Road or Rowley Road.

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:

Anketell Road from Kwinana Freeway to Thomas Road

Thomas Road from Anketell Road to Bombay Boulevard

Tuart Road from Anketell Road to Thomas Road

Cumming Road between Orton Road and Thomas Road

King Road between Orton Road and Thomas Road

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 travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting the SHIRE OF SERPENTINE-JARRAHDALE.

REGISTER.FIND.REUNITE:
Register with Register.Find.Reunite to let your family and loved ones know you’re OK and where you will be relocating to via https://register.redcross.org.au from any computer or mobile device or in-person at the temporary evacuation centre.

If you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been planning to be in the area, enquire about their whereabouts through the online Register.Find.Reunite system at https://register.redcross.org.au.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

Firefighters are on the scene, actively fighting the fire.

150 Career Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Parks and Wildlife Service 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 11:13 AM on 16 January 2021.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery-powered radio in your emergency kit.

Updates will be issued every hour unless the situation changes.

For More Information and Updates follow the https://www.emergency.wa.gov.au

Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING Perth southern suburbs Western Australia