Mon. Jul 29th, 2024
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Firefighters will continue battling multiple fires in Western Australia on Sunday, after lightning strikes sparked several blazes south of Perth. 

Strong winds and high temperatures created challenging conditions for firefighters who at one stage were dealing with four emergency warnings on Saturday, which saw parts of the Kwinana Freeway close and a playground go up in flames.

An emergency warning remained in place on Sunday morning for the southern part of Serpentine and northern parts of the Shire of Murray, south of Perth. 

A house is shrouded in smoke
There were several emergency warnings in place on Saturday.(ABC News)

The warning is in place for people bounded by Scarp Road to Day Road and east to Ronan Road.

The western boundary includes the Serpentine Reservoir, and the southern boundary extends to the intersection of Scarp Road and Keysbrook Road, excluding the Jarrahdale town site.

The bushfire is moving in a south westerly direction and is not contained or controlled.

Two evacuation centres have been set up at:

  • Murray Aquatic Centre on Camp Road, Pinjarra
  • Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Recreation Centre in Byford 

Several roads have been closed including Kingsbury Drive from the South Western Highway to Jarrahdale Road, and Albany Highway between Jarrahdale Road and North Bannister Wandering Road.

Threat downgraded for fire burning near Mandurah

A blaze burning east of Mandurah has burnt through more than 270 hectares of bushland.

The threat level has been downgraded to watch and act, for people west of Kwinana Freeway to Peaceful Waters Drive and Hougham Road, and north of Tranquil Retreat in parts of Barragup, Nambeelup and Stake HIll and the Shire of Murray. 

Yesterday, Incident Controller Ray Buchan said there were 65 fire trucks on the scene as more than 100 firefighters battled the blaze, which forced the closure of parts of the Kwinana Freeway. 

A fire engulfs a freeway

The fire jumped the Kwinana Freeway on Saturday but it has now been reopened.(ABC News: Ellie Honeybone)

The freeway and Lakes Road have now reopened.

He said they had managed to slow the rate of the spread but strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures were creating “challenging” conditions. 

A man with short grey hair and a yellow high vis jacket speaks to media

DFES Incident Controller Ray Buchan.  (ABC News)

“There has been high rates of spread and fast-moving fires due to the wind that has been driving the fires,” he said.

A watch and act is also in place for a nearby blaze still burning in parts of North Dandalup, Myara and Whittaker. 

Authorities remain on high alert after issuing advice warnings for several other blazes around the state.

A big tree lies on its side after being felled

There have been several lightning strikes in the Shire of Murray.(Supplied: Tracey Bennett)

It is believed many were caused by lightning strikes on Friday night and Saturday morning. 

The clean-up will begin on Sunday in some areas such as Piara Waters in the City of Armadale where a playground was engulfed in flames right next to homes on Saturday afternoon. 

A fire ravages a playground

A playground was ravaged by the blaze, which came very close to homes, in Piara Waters.   (ABC News)

Visit Emergency WA, call DFES on 133 337, follow DFES on Twitter or listen to ABC Local Radio to stay up to date.



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