Source: Emergency WA

Bushfire Watch and Act - travelling along CARNARVON/MULLEWA ROAD between NORTH WEST COASTAL HIGHWAY and GASCOYNE JUNCTION TOWNSITE (not including GASCOYNE JUNCTION TOWNSITE), KENNEDY RANGE NATIONAL PARK (south of Lyons River Road) and DOORAWARRAH, JIMBA JIMBA, MARDATHUNA, PIMBEE, WINDERIE AND YALBALGO STATIONS in the SHIRES OF CARNARVON AND UPPER GASCOYNE
The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

There is no change to the previous alert

Time of issue: 04:10 PM
Date of issue: 16 January 2022

Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for people travelling along CARNARVON/MULLEWA ROAD between NORTH WEST COASTAL HIGHWAY and GASCOYNE JUNCTION TOWNSITE (not including GASCOYNE JUNCTION TOWNSITE), KENNEDY RANGE NATIONAL PARK (south of Lyons River Road) and DOORAWARRAH, JIMBA JIMBA, MARDATHUNA, PIMBEE, WINDERIE AND YALBALGO STATIONS in the SHIRES OF CARNARVON AND UPPER GASCOYNE

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT is in place for people travelling along CARNARVON/MULLEWA ROAD between NORTH WEST COASTAL HIGHWAY and GASCOYNE JUNCTION TOWNSITE (not including GASCOYNE JUNCTION TOWNSITE), KENNEDY RANGE NATIONAL PARK (south of Lyons River Road) and DOORAWARRAH, JIMBA JIMBA, MARDATHUNA, PIMBEE, WINDERIE AND YALBALGO STATIONS in the SHIRES OF CARNARVON AND UPPER GASCOYNE.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.

WHAT TO DO

If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear. The safest route to leave is via the Carnarvon/Mullewa Road east of Gascoyne Junction, North West Coastal Highway north or south of Carnarvon/Mullewa Road.

If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.

If you plan to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. You need to have access to an independent water supply, and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.

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

If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.

Bushfire ADVICE for KENNEDY RANGE NATIONAL PARK (south of Lyons Rover Road) including GASCOYNE JUNCTION TOWNSITE and stations between NORTH WEST COASTAL HIGHWAY, BYRO-WOODLEIGH ROAD and south of MARDATHUNA ROAD in the SHIRES OF CARNARVON and UPPER GASCOYNE

A bushfire ADVICE is in place for people near KENNEDY RANGE NATIONAL PARK (south of Lyons River Road) including GASCOYNE JUNCTION TOWNSITE and stations between NORTH WEST COASTAL HIGHWAY, BYRO-WOODLEIGH ROAD and south of MARDATHUNA ROAD in the SHIRES OF CARNARVON and UPPER GASCOYNE. This includes all or part of the STATIONS OF BIDGEMIA, CARBLA, CAREY DOWNS, DAIRY CREEK, DOORAWARRAH, ELLA VALLA, GILROYD, JIMBA JIMBA, LYONS RIVER, MARDATHUNA, MARRON, MEEDO, PIMBEE, TOWRANA, WAHROONGA, WINDERIE, WOODLEIGH, WOORAMEL, YALARDY and YARINGA..

There is no threat to lives or homes.

There is a lot of smoke in the area.

Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.

WHAT TO DO

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.

If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.

If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

COVID-19

If you are in lockdown or any form of isolation or quarantine for COVID-19, you must do whatever you need to protect your life.

If you have been personally directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 and have been advised to leave the area:

Find suitable alternative premises and wear a mask. Those in the affected area are permitted to go to suitable alternative premises without putting others at risk.

Alternative suitable premises may include a friend or relative's house, provided they have their own bedroom, preferably own bathroom, and there are not too many people in the house.

If you cannot 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 in a north to north easterly direction.

It is out of control and unpredictable.

SAFEST ROUTE

It is safe to leave along Carnarvon/Mullewa Road east of Gascoyne Junction, or on North West Coastal Highway north or south of Carnarvon/Mullewa 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:

Carnarvon/Mullewa Road between North West Coastal Highway intersection and Gascoyne Junction townsite

Pimbee Road

Callagiddy Road

Please note that all track and roads in pastoral stations located within the alert area are closed to the public.

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 visiting the Main Roads Travel Map, calling 138 138 or by contacting your Local Government Authority.

ANIMAL WELFARE

Owners or carers of livestock, pets and companion animals should activate their own animal welfare plan. During a bushfire take advice from Local Government Authorities to protect the lives of your animals while keeping yourself safe.

For more information on actions to take for each bushfire warning level, please see the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.

PARK CLOSURES

Kennedy Range National Park and all visitor facilties are closed.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING

Firefighters are strengthening containment lines and undertaking backburning activities.

49 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service, Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters are attending.

Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.

Local firefighters are being supported by firefighters from across the State. State Emergency Service volunteers, Pastoralists, Mining Sector and Local Government are also supporting the firefighting efforts.

There are three graders, two dozers and one loader supporting firefighting efforts.

DRONES AND AERIAL SUPPORT

Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews. Pastoralists should be aware that the Large Air Tanker may be operating in the area. 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 09:34 PM on 6 January 2022.

Currently there has been 334,215 hectares burnt.

The cause of the fire is lightning.

DFES is managing the fire.

KEEP UP TO DATE

Visit Emergency WA, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter, Facebook, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.

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.

DFES Bushfires