A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for the South West town of Windy Harbour after a blaze — which has razed more than 28,000ha — escaped containment lines.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has urged residents bounded by the emergency alert to shelter inside homes, with lives and property at risk.
The fire is moving fast in a south-westerly direction towards Windy Harbour.
It remains uncontained and uncontrolled.
“The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as the bushfire has escaped containment lines on Windy Harbour Road,” the warning said.
“It is too late to leave — fire has impacted evacuation routes and leaving now will put your life in danger.
“You need to identify a room in your home where you can shelter from the approaching fire. It should have running water, such as a kitchen or laundry, and have a clear exit so you can easily escape.”
The alert impacts people at the Windy Harbour Camping Ground, D’Enctrecasteaux National Park and Point D’Entrecasteaux.
The town is also home to a number of holiday and fishing cottages.
Parts of Shannon National Park and both the Bibbulmun Track and Munda Biddi Trial have been shut.
Windy Harbour Road is closed south of Chesapeake Road, while several roads between the Southwest Highway and Windy Harbour Road — and south of Middleton Road.
“Crews and machinery will be operating along roads in the area during the day,” DFES said.
Water bombers are working with firefighters to douse the blaze.
Residents are urged to monitor both the inside and outside of their homes “for fires and embers and turn on sprinklers if you have them.”
“If your home catches fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, go to an area that has already been burnt.
“Protect yourself by wearing strong leather boots in case you need to leave your home.”
A separate watch and act alert is in place for areas north of Doggerup Road, west of Windy Harbour and south of the Summertime 4WD track.
A DFES spokesman said the Department of Biodiversity of Conservation and Attractions was managing the blaze.
The fire has razed more than 28,000ha.
https://thewest.com.au/news/bushfires/windy-harbour-bushfire-emergency-warning-for-residents-as-blaze-breaches-containment-lines-c-17935390
