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Fire threatening lives and homes in Daliak in Shire of York now contained

The West Australian
A file photo of firefighters fighting a bushfire at High Wycombe.
Camera IconA file photo of firefighters fighting a bushfire at High Wycombe. Credit: Trevor Collens/The West Australian

An bushfire that this afternoon threatened lives and homes in the Shire of York in the State’s Wheatbelt is now contained but not controlled.

Emergency Services have issued a ‘watch and act’ warning for residents in York, saying there is a possible threat to lives and homes. Residents are still advised to leave if they can.

The alert comes as another bushfire threatened lives and homes at High Wycombe in Perth. That fire burned about four hectares of bushland with about 75 firefighters and 30 fire trucks trying to contain the bushfire.

Firefighters are also at the scene in York.

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The warning for a bushfire that threatened homes in Casuarina in the City of Kwinana has been downgraded to an advice and there is no longer a threat to lives and homes as the fire is now under control.

More information for people in York is below:

Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for parts of DALIAK, ST RONANS, WILBERFORCE and INKPEN in SHIRE OF YORK

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT is in place for people bounded by Helena Road, Ashworth Road, Mokine Road, Hamersley Siding Road and Wambyn Road, Boyercutty Road and Mokine Road in parts of DALIAK, ST RONANS, WILBERFORCE and INKPEN in SHIRE OF YORK.

  • The alert level for this fire has been downgraded..
  • There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.
  • The fire started near the intersection of GREAT SOUTHERN HWY and ASHWORTH RD in DALIAK.

WHAT TO DO:

  • If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
  • 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.
  • At all times close all doors and windows 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.

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

  • Leave now 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 stationary.
  • It is contained but not controlled.
  • Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.

ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS: Avoid the area and be aware of fire and emergency services personnel working on site.

  • Great Southern Highway is closed between Yarra Road and Cut Hill 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 YORK.

POWER:

Western Power has advised parts of St Ronans, Daliak, Balladong, Inkpen, Wilberforce and Woottating are without power. Crews are working on restoration of services in the area.

For further details visit www.westernpower.com.au.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

  • Firefighters are on the scene and strengthening containment lines.
  • Approximately 100 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters are attending.

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 12:43 PM on 15 January 2021.
  • Currently there has been 726 hectares burnt.
  • The cause of the fire is unknown.
  • DFES is managing the fire.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa, 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.

Updates will be issued every two hours unless the situation changes.

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