Warradarge, Mindarra bushfire: Emergency warning issued, residents urged to act now to survive

An army of firefighters and emergency services are continuing to tackle out-of-control blazes across WA despite three of the five emergency bushfire warnings being downgraded.

Local residents are warned that their lives and homes are at risk as firefighters respond to bushfires burning northeast of Jurien Bay and southeast of Lancelin.

Three fires — one near Mandurah, one near Chittering and another near Brigadoon — have been downgraded from an emergency level.

The Nambeelup blaze was downgraded to a watch and act warning about 4.20pm.

The fire remains as a possible threat to lives and homes but is stationary. Emergency services are still advising people to avoid the area as they continue to tackle the blaze.

Another fire near Brigadoon was downgraded to an advice level about 3.30pm but has not been entirely contained.

The blaze, 15km east of Ellenbrook, has burned about 380 hectares.

Emergency services said it was not being treated as suspicious and continues to be monitored.

The blaze south east of Gingin, covering parts of Bindoon and Chittering was downgraded to a watch and act around 7pm.

The fire is no longer directly threatening lives and homes but the department is urging residents to monitor conditions as they continue to change.

However, two other blazes are still burning across WA at an emergency level threat.

It includes a fire northeast of Jurien Bay.

The warning remains in place for an area bounded by Garibaldi Willis Road to the east, Tootbardie Road and Banovich Road to the south and to the west of Brand Highway in the Shire of Coorow.

Residents have been advised to act immediately to survive as the blaze threatens lives and homes.

Nearly 150 emergency services personnel are responding to the incident, which was reportedly caused by lightning.

A second fire is burning southeast of Lancelin. The emergency warning covers Gillingarra-New Norcia Road, Gillingarra Road, Fynes Road, Red Gully Road and Burnett Road in the Shire of Gingin.

DFES has advised residents to leave, if the way is clear.

“Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger,” they warned.

Three schools will be closed on Tuesday due to an increased risk of bushfire in the area.

The schools include Tambellup Primary School, Ongerup Primary School and Broomehill Primary School.

No one will be allowed on site and parents have been asked to keep heir children home.

WHAT TO DO

• If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place. This may be with family or friends away from the area.
• If it is safe to do so, leave in an easterly direction along Coorow-Green Head Road or south down Brand Highway.
• Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger.
• Take your emergency kit with you.
• If you become stuck in your car, park away from bushes, cover yourself with a woollen blanket, get onto the floor as the windows may break from the intense heat.
• Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
• If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.
• You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you.
• Go to a room in your home where you can shelter from the approaching fire.
• The room should have running water, such as a kitchen or laundry, and have a clear exit so you can easily escape.