170 firefighters contain Toodyay blaze which threatened homes and lives

170 firefighters contain Toodyay blaze which threatened homes and lives

15 December 2013

published by www.heraldsun.com.au


Australia — MORE than 170 fire fighters from 21 brigades – using four aircraft – have brought a fierce bushfire under control 4km east of Toodyay.

The fire had edged dangerously close to homes in Wicklow Estate and Dumbarton Estate, destroying 100ha of land.

Residents were told to flee and were prevented from returning to their properties after the bushfire was reported just after 9am.

It is not known how the fire began.

By mid-afternoon the fire was still burning on both sides of the Goomalling-Toodyay Road and there was a possible threat to lives and homes because conditions are changing.

But the emergency warning was downgraded to a bushfire “watch and act”.

The Department for Child Protection has set up a temporary evacuation centre at the Toodyay Community Hall.

Motorists were warned to avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.

In an update at 4.30pm, authorities warned of smoke in the area.

A number of roads will remain closed including the Goomalling-Toodyay Road at the intersection of Boyagerring Rd, and the intersection of Woodindale Rd.

By late afternoon, Whitfield Rd was opened to allow residents to return to the estate.

Motorists were warned to avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.

The fire was reported at 9.18am, travelling fast in a south-southeastern direction.

Pilbara and Central West warnings

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a severe fire danger rating for tomorrow for inland parts of the Pilbara, mainly the Shire of East Pilbara.

It has also forecast an extreme fire danger rating for inland parts of the Central West, including the shires of Carnamah, Chapman Valley, Coorow, Dandaragan, Greater Geraldton, Mingenew, Moora, Morawa, Northampton, Perenjori, Three Springs and Victoria Plains.

National parks close

AS temperatures hit 38C, the Department of Parks and Wildlife ordered the closure of Serpentine National Park and Avon Valley National Park due to fire threat.

A severe fire danger rating forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology exists today for inland parts of Perth and surrounding areas.

People are urged to avoid the two national parks and follow the advice of staff.

The department said people already in the area should leave for “a safer place”.

The department will provide an update if the situation changes or when parks and recreation sites have been reopened.

Great Southern

A SEVERE bushfire danger is threatening parts of the Great Southern, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services warns.

The department said the threat had been upgraded from very high to severe due to a change in weather conditions and the shires of Corrigin, Kondinin and Kulin are under threat.

Property owners and people travelling through the area are being advised to remain alert and prepared for a fire.

Meanwhile, the Department of Parks and Wildlife will be conducting prescribed burns across the shire of Manjimup.

The burns will be conducted 29km south-east of Manjimup, 42km south-east of Manjimup and 5km north of Walpole.

Motorists are recommended to turn on headlights and drive carefully through areas where there is smoke.
 


Print Friendly, PDF & Email
WP-Backgrounds Lite by InoPlugs Web Design and Juwelier Schönmann 1010 Wien