Warnbro bushfire: Watch and act warning in place as residents alerted to ember attacks

A train line is closed and roads are shut as firefighters continue to battle an out-of-control bushfire in the City of Rockingham.

Residents in parts of Warnbro, Coolongup and Waikiki were warned of a possible ember attack about 7.15am on Tuesday, more than 12 hours after a fire reportedly ignited near the Warnbro train station.

Trains on the Mandurah line between Rockingham and Mandurah remained cancelled as a result of the fire.

Transperth said replacement buses were running between Rockingham and Mandurah, urging commuters to “please allow extra travelling time”.

Parts of Safety Bay Road, including between Baldivis Road to Ennis Avenue, are shut, while Ennis Avenue between Wilmott Drive to Royal Palm Drive are also closed.

In the latest watch and act warning issued on Tuesday morning, residents were alerted to a possible ember attack.

“A bushfire watch and act is in place for people in an area bounded by Mandurah Road, Safety Bay Road, Read Street, The Avenue, Wilmott Drive and Seagate Street in parts of Cooloongup, Waikiki and Warnbro in the City of Rockingham,” it said.

“Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home and could spark a fire.

“If your plan is to leave, leave now.”

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said 100 firefighters were actively fighting the blaze on Tuesday morning,

DFES said the fire, which is out-of-control and uncontained, is moving in a north-north westerly direction.

Residents are warned there is a possible threat to lives and homes as the fire buns and conditions change.

Three separate bushfire advice warning are in place for parts of Safety Bay, Waikiki, Cooloongup and Baldivis, with residents urged to visit emergency WA for updates.

WHAT TO DO

• If your plan is to leave, leave now.
• Take your emergency kit with you. It should include an AM/FM radio that runs off batteries, a first aid kit, a woollen blanket, phones, protective clothing, medication and irreplaceable valuables.
• Decide where you will go and how you will get there. This could be with family or friends away from the fire.
• Keep your doors and windows closed to keep out smoke.
• Turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible to prevent embers entering your home.
• If you plan to stay and defend ensure you are mentally and physically prepared, with protective clothing and an independent water supply. Make final preparations now and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.