THERE have been no changes since the previous alert and it is still not safe for people in Preston Beach to leave due to downed power lines and debris across the road.
Motorists are asked to avoid non essential travel through the area and if you must travel please ensure your petrol tank is full before you depart.
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING remains for people in an area bounded by Old Coast Road, south of Coronation Road, South Western Highway, McDowell Road, Nanga Brook Road, Nanga Road, Dawn Creek Road, south to Murray River Fire line, Driver Road, Logue Brook Dam Road, Dupont Road, Tallanalla Road, Harvey-Quindanning Road, Weir Road, Uduc Road, Forestry Road and Forrest Highway.
This includes east of Waroona, Hamel and Yarloop and surrounding areas.
It doesn't include the Waroona townsite.
There is a threat to lives and homes.
Unless you are ready and prepared to actively defend your property, evacuate to the south via the South Western Highway if safe to do so.
BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:
Forecast weather conditions are expected to assist firefighters today but the bushfire is moving slowly in a south easterly direction.
There is still significant fire activity along the south east boundary and the fire remains uncontained and not yet controlled.
WHAT TO DO:
Leave now if the way is clear in a southerly direction.
If you cannot leave you need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry and protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
PLACE OF LAST RESORT:
If you cannot shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, shed, swimming pool, dam or building.
This will give you some protection from the effects of a bushfire.
Take water, woollen blankets and wear protective clothing.
EVACUATION CENTRE:
Evacuation centres have been established at:
Murray Leisure Centre, 16 Camp Road, Pinjarra.
Leschenault Leisure Centre, Leisure Drive, Australind.
Please note that material donations are not required at this stage.
Monetary donations can be made through the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS:
The following community meetings have been scheduled for today:
1pm at the Leschenault Leisure Centre, Leisure Drive, Australind.
2pm at the Murray Leisure Centre, 16 Camp Road, Pinjarra.
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire WATCH and Act remains for people in an area bounded by Old Bunbury Road, across Forrest Highway to Dorsett Road, Williamson Road, Mayfield Road, South Western Highway, Tallanalla Road, south of the Murray River to east of the Murray River Fireline, Yarragil Form, Loop Road, Dawn Creek Road, Nanga Brook Road, McDowell Street, South West Hwy, north of Coronation Rd, Old Coast Rd, Old Bunbury Rd.
A bushfire WATCH and ACT remains for Preston Beach and Lake Clifton including the Waroona townsite.
A bushfire WATCH and ACT remains for people in an area bounded by Forestry Road, Government Road, Eckersley Road, Clifton Road, South West Highway, Weir Road, Harvey-Quindanning Road, Tallanalla Road, Old Collie Road, Myles Avenue, Mornington Road, South Western Highway, Mitchell Road west to Wellesley Road, Forest Highway and north to Forestry Road. This includes the townsites of Harvey and Cookernup.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing.
You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
WHAT TO DO:
If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
It is not safe for people in Preston Beach to leave due to downed power lines and debris across the road.
If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now, please consider that you may be directed to leave if conditions worsen.
Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires
If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
SAFER PLACE:
Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
SAFEST ROUTE:
If you are in the area you should leave in a southerly direction away from the fire.
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire ADVICE remains for people in an area bounded by Marriott Road, South Western Highway, Sandalwood Road, Big Tree Road, Mornington Road, Myles Avenue, South Western Highway, Mitchell Roadwest toWellesley Road, Forrest Highway south to Marriott Road.
This includes the suburb of Wellesley.
A bushfire ADVICE remains for people west of Forest Highway from Pamelup Estate to Binningup townsite including the townsite of Myalup.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.
WHAT TO DO:
Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
Read through your bushfire survival plan.
If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.
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.
ROAD CLOSURES:
Motorists are asked to avoid non essential travel through the area and if you must travel please ensure your petrol tank is full before you depart.
Drive with caution due to livestock across the roads in some areas.
A number of main roads have been closed including:
Forrest Highway (both directions) from Pinjarra Road to Buffalo Road
Old Coast Road (both directions) from Old Bunbury Road to Forrest Highway
South Western Highway (both directions) from Greenlands Road to Marriott Road
Further road closures are in place within the area, including:
Old Bunbury Road between Forrest Highway and South Western Highway
Nanga Road between Murray River bridge and Driver Road
Nanga Brook Road, east of Scarp Road
Forestry Road between Forrest Highway and Uduc Road
Collie-Tallanalla Road between Harvey-Quindanning Road and Dupont Road
Kent Road between Harvey-Quindanning Road and Collie-Tallanalla Road
Honeymoon Road between Harvey-Quindanning Road and South Western Highway
Dupont Road between Harvey-Quindanning Road and Collie-Tallanalla Road
Alternative route:
If you are heading north to Perth an alternative route to take is Coalfields Highway to Albany Highway.
If you are heading south from Perth an alternative route to take is Albany Highway to Coalfields Highway.
RECREATION SITE CLOSURES:
The Bibbulmun Track, between Dwellingup and Harvey-Quindanning Road
The Munda Biddi Trail, between is closed between Dwellingup and Logue Brook Dam.
Lane Poole Reserve
The Captain Fawcett 4WD track
Yalgorup National Park south of Mt John Road including Martins Tank campsite, Heathlands walk trail, Lake Pollard walk trail and Haywood day use site on Preston Beach Road
Lake Brockman Tourist Park
Hoffman Mill
Logue Brook Dam
Waroona Dam and Lake Navarino Holiday Park.
POWER:
Western Power has advised that there are electricity interruptions as a result of the bushfire.
Customers without power are encouraged to make alternative plans on the basis that power is not likely to be restored until the coming days.
For further details visit www.westernpower.com.au
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:
Firefighters have made significant progress along the northern boundary, west and east of Waroona.
Firefighters are undertaking asset protection around affected communities.
Firefighters will continue to strengthen and consolidate containment lines and control flare ups.
There are over 250 firefighters and support staff responding to the fire.
Firefighters are using more than 50 appliances including 38 heavy machines.
Firefighters will be assisted by interstate fire crews today.
Aerial support will be available if required.
EXTRA INFORMATION:
An Emergency Situation has been declared for the Shires of Harvey and Waroona.
The fire was reported at 7.25am on 6 January 2016.
The cause of the fire was lightning.
Telephone text and voice messages have been issued.
More than 72,657 hectares have been burnt.
143 properties including 128 houses and other structures including sheds, caravans and community buildings have been confirmed lost.
68 personnel from New South Wales including 60 firefighters, 5 paramedic and 3 management support staff are assisting local crews.
The fire perimeter is in excess of 226km.
An inter-agency Incident Management Team comprising DFES, Parks and Wildlife and local government is managing the fire.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
Register with Register.Find.Reunite. to let your family and loved ones know you are OK via https://register.redcross.org.au from any computer or mobile device, in person at an Evacuation Centre or call the State Enquiry Centre Line on 1800 015 337 between 9am and 10pm.
These hours may be subject to change.
If you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been affected by the fires visit the Red Cross website https://register.redcross.org.au.
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa, listen to ABC local radio, or news bulletins.
Updates will be provided every hour unless the situation changes.