Residents told to evacuate as bushfire threatens homes

An out-of-control wildfire threatens homes and property; Fast-moving conditions are making residents anxious and following evacuation orders.

Residents of Morangup, about an hour northeast of Perth, are keeping watch on their homes as a fire breaks out nearby.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an evacuation order but later rescinded that order as fire crews managed to bring the fire under control early Sunday evening.

Fire crews are supported from the air.

Further north, another emergency warning has been issued as bushfires burn in parts of Callala and Muleya.

The warning covers the area bounded by Cook Rd, Callala Rd, Barn Rd and Bindoon Moora Rd.

Residents are being urged to evacuate and head south towards Bindoon.

Fire crews are responding to the fire, which was reported just after 11:00 on Sunday.

For those living in Waggrakine and Moresby, about 12 kilometers north-east of Geraldton, it is too late to leave.

An evacuation order was issued just before 3pm, but by 3.20pm authorities warned it was too late and too dangerous to leave.

“You are in danger and need to take immediate action to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA warning reads.

“Homes in the warning area are currently under fire threat.”

The Department for Communities has set up an evacuation center at the QEII Seniors and Community Center near Geraldton.

The fire was first reported at around 10.30am on Sunday and is rapidly moving north.

The threat of a bushfire burning in Perth’s south-east suburbs of Karragullen, Lesley and Pickering Brook was reduced as firefighters attempted to bring the blaze under control around 4pm.