Schools closed, thousands without power as an out of control bushfire threatens lives and homes in Geraldton
One home has been destroyed, thousands are without power, schools are closed and residents have been urged to flee as a bushfire rages closer to an Aussie city of 38,000.
A home has been destroyed by an out of control bushfire that has burnt through 130 hectares north of Perth.
A Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) spokesman said there are two active emergency warnings for Geraldton, about 420km north of Perth.
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 the West firefighters saved Waggrakine Primary School 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.
“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
