Thunderstorms, high winds fuel dangerous bushfires in WA’s Great Southern
Updated ,first published
The small farming town of Ongerup in Western Australia’s Great South region was under a bushfire emergency warning on Tuesday evening as a severe storm ripped through the region, fueling a dangerous blaze.
Ongerup’s alert level was raised late Tuesday as “variable winds” fanned the flames in many directions, according to a Department of Fire and Emergency Services warning.
Residents in the area bounded by Ongerup Creek, O’Neil Road, Magners Road and Peedilip Creek have been urged to flee east towards Pingerup, where a temporary evacuation center has been set up at Pingerup Racing Club.
A further emergency warning has been issued for people in the area bounded by Albany Lake Grace Road (Chester Pass Road), Tie Line Road, Jones Road, Hinkley Road and Old Ongerup Road in parts of Jackitup and Mindarabin.
Meanwhile, residents in another part of Mindarabin bordered by Ongerup Creek, Gnowangerup Jerramungup Road and Old Ongerup Road have been warned that it is too late to leave.
Everyone remaining must designate a room in their home to protect themselves from the approaching fire.
It must have running water and a clear escape route, such as a kitchen or laundry room.
The wildfire was first reported just after noon on Tuesday. Firefighters are actively fighting the blaze and are being joined by Farmers Response, bushfire brigades and Gnowangerup Shire.
As of Tuesday evening, more than 600 hectares of land had burned.
A bushfire watch and action warning is also in place for people in Broomehill Village to the west and surrounding areas in the Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup.
The alert was recently downgraded from emergency as firefighters got the flames under control.
For the most up-to-date information, visit: Emergency WA or download the Emergency WA app from the App Store or Google Play, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES Facebooklisten ABC Local Radio6PR or newsletters.
