Schools closed, thousands without power as an out of control bushfire threatens lives and homes in Geraldton
Authorities have provided a shocking update on what caused a bushfire that has destroyed at least one home and left thousands without power.
Authorities believe an out of control bushfire threatening lives and homes north of Perth was intentionally lit.
One home has been destroyed but hundreds were saved by firefighters as a dangerous blaze burnt through 160 hectares in Geraldton, about 420km north of Perth.
Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said it was “appalling” and detectives had already begun investigating.
“People must not be so stupid as to light fires intentionally,” he said.
“It is going to threaten people’s life. It is against the law, and you will be found and prosecuted.”
The fire started on Friday and reignited in northern parts of Geraldton about 5.20am on Monday, fuelled by strong and swirly easterly wind gusts up to 80km/h.
Residents fled their homes, schools closed and thousands remain without power as the “dangerous” bushfire threatened lives and homes in northern parts of the coastal city.
Incident controller Brent Allen said one house had been lost, five cars destroyed and another house suffered about $50,000 worth of damage but was saved from total destruction by firefighters.
“Firefighters were going house to house in the early period when the fire crossed the river,” he said.
“Crews did a fantastic job of battling the fire and going house to house in their backyards to extinguish the fire.”
Mr Allen the fire went past homes and right into people’s backyards.
“We had firefighters working in backyards, having to push down fences to get into structures.” he said.
“It’s run right up to structures and a school, there were fires in the gardens around the school, which have now been contained.
“If we had a limited firefighting response, then 600 houses could have been directly impacted and potentially the fire could have kept running to the north and impacted homes as far as … about 12km to the north.”
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said it was incredibly difficult to stop the fires around the river system.
“It’s incredibly steep and hard to get access for trucks and so this is where the water bombers and the Black Hawks really come into their own,” he said.
“They’ll stay here as long as long as the incident needs them.”
Mr Klemm said additional aircraft was deployed to Geraldton on Monday to deal with the current threat and more firefighting crews would travel from Perth overnight.
“Some 18 different vehicles, and an additional 23 firefighters will come up from the metropolitan area later this evening to just give those volunteers and career firefighters here on the ground that have been working so hard after the last three days or so, give them a bit of a rest.”
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) spokesman said two active emergency warnings were in place for Geraldton.
Residents have been warned “lives are in danger and action is required immediately to survive.”
The spokesman said about 100 career and volunteer firefighters continued to battle the blaze with help from waterbombers, as more crews make their way from Perth.
The fire broke out in northern parts of Geraldton about 5.20am on Monday, and were being fuelled by strong easterly winds.
Residents fled their homes, schools closed and thousands are without power as the “dangerous” bushfire threatens lives and homes in Geraldton.
Incident controller Brent Allen told media firefighters saved Waggrakine Primary School and a second home from being destroyed by the fire.
He expected crews to be battling the blaze for several days while they remain focused on saving lives and homes.
“As far as I’m aware there’s been no damage to school property apart from some vegetation like trees and some of the garden beds,” he said.
“There was some fire activity in the roof space of a house and the crews managed to get in and extinguish that fire. It was a really good save on their end,” he said.
“We’ve got really difficult conditions with the temperatures and the wind.
“One of the biggest things with the wind is it changes dramatically throughout the day, which means the fire front will be consistently changing through the day.”
Mr Allen said crews spent about two hours on Sunday afternoon going house to house fighting individual fires.
“It was in people’s backyards, so within metres of houses,” he said.
“It was pretty horrific. All our crews were working safely … but it would have been a pretty full-on experience for both the residents and for our responders.
“For the crews on the ground it was just a mad scramble going from door to door responding to triple-0 calls and just trying to defend individual properties.
“It was inspirational for me to see the way the crews were working together to protect strangers’ homes and lives.”
Resident Jesse Pickett told the ABC he could hear the stress in his neighbours’ voices as the situation worsened, and people were shouting for their neighbours to leave on Sunday.
“They’re all shouting, screaming ‘We need to leave, we need to go. Don’t worry about the house. If we have to go, we have to go.
“The fire already jumped the road and lit up the paddock near the Waggrakine school.
“So I was basically flying through fire.”
DFES Superintendent Mark Bowen told media one home was destroyed by an ember attack and a small asbestos shed was destroyed in the fire.
He said the fire appeared to be suspicious and authorities were investigating if it was deliberately lit.
“That’s not confirmed, but all initial indicators are that it was a suspicious fire,” he said.
Mr Bowen said they had very strong easterly wind gusts up to 80km/h, but their main focus was when the sea breeze came in on Monday afternoon.
“The eastern side of the fire will put pressure on the control lines that we’ve established, and we may see further outbreaks later this afternoon,” he said.
“Obviously, this is a very dangerous situation.”
The superintendent said there was a probability the fire would break containment lines this afternoon and residents need to be prepared.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Rob Horstman said his thoughts were with people affected by the fires.
“Thank you to the career and volunteer emergency services personnel who are actively working to contain and control the blaze. Please give them the space to do their job and follow any instructions,” he said.
“In times like these, staying connected can save lives. Please check on family and friends who may be impacted. Support one another and offer shelter if needed to ensure no one is left isolated.”
The fire started in the coastal town, about 420km north of Perth, on Sunday and continued into Monday as Western Australia braces for very hot weather.
People in Bluff Point, Spalding and Sunset Beach were warned it was too dangerous to return home or to stay and take shelter if they could not leave.
“You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services warned.
“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.”
Several schools and roads were closed as the out of control bushfire continued to burn in a westerly direction on Monday.
Western Power advised about 3720 homes and businesses affected by the bushfire were without power, with some customers warned they will be without electricity until the fire has passed.
Very hot and dry conditions are forecast for the Midwest coastal area with temperatures expected to soar past 36C on Monday.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned an extreme fire danger is in place as fresh and gusty north to northeast winds hit the region ahead of a cooler sea breeze in the afternoon and evening.
A Moonyoonooka Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade member posted on social media that seeing plumes of black smoke at 6am on Sunday from their back door was not a good way to start the day.
The member said career and volunteer firefighters in the area helped them contain the fire as it burnt through the bush and river system, with support from the air.
“Then after lunch the smoke became visible from the Spalding direction, which developed into an emergency fire,” the person said.
“Assets from the first fire were redirected to the second fire while mopping up was carried out at the first.”
An evacuation centre has been set up at the QEII Seniors and Community Centre for people who fled their homes.
More to come.
Originally published as Schools closed, thousands without power as an out of control bushfire threatens lives and homes in Geraldton
