Fast-moving bushfire threatening WA homes

An emergency warning is in place for southern parts of Western Australia after a bushfire jumped containment lines and is approaching homes.

Fire front approaching a property in Scaddan, near Esperance

Three major bushfires in Western Australia's south no longer pose a threat to lives and homes. (AAP)

A fast-moving bushfire that jumped containment lines in Western Australia has prompted an emergency warning in parts of the state's south.

An emergency warning has been issued for people living in the Mullet Lakes area, in Bandy Creek, and Esperance.

Homes on more than a dozen streets are under threat, including:

- Wylie Bay Road

- the southern end of Dempster Road

- Tarook Road

- Bandy Creek Road

- the western end of Merivale Road

- Daw Drive

- Tranquil Drive

"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes," WA's Department of Fire and Emergency Services said in a statement.

The bushfire is described as out of control and unpredictable, and moving fast after it broke containment lines on the western side near Mullet Lakes.

Residents who planned to leave can leave if the way is clear, and those who intend to protect their homes should prepare to do so.

Advice alerts are also in place for bushfires in the Shire of Collie, the Shire of Dundas - including the Heartbreak Ridge area - as well as near Mt Solus in Jarrahdale State forest.

There is no threat to lives or homes in those areas but there is lot of smoke in the area which is expected to clear on Sunday.

Residents are being urged to drive slowly with their headlights on due to poor visibility.

Farmers near Esperance have returned to their homes after a bushfire sparked by lighting at Salmon Gums and Grass Patch left four people dead, including local farmer Kym Curnow.

The 45-year-old is being hailed a hero for saving several people from driving into the inferno before becoming trapped himself.

Norwegian national Anna Sashohova Winther, 29, British man Thomas Leslie Butcher, 31, and German woman Julia Kohrs-Lichte, 19, also died trying to outrun the fire.

All three were working as farmhands and were trying to save a horse.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world