Two Blazes Burn Out Of Control
Two bushfires are threatening lives and homes in Albany and other communities across Western Australia’s south coast, as winds from the season’s first strong cold front fan flames, sparking spot fires up to 1.5 kilometres ahead of one blaze.
One of those fires is burning west of the city of Albany and the other is near the Porongurup National Park, to Albany’s north east. Three other fires have been downgraded to watch and act level, including a fire at Albany’s Goode Beach.
Authorities say people in the vicinity of this fire need to stay alert to changing conditions and there is a possible threat to lives and properties.
Wind gusts of more than 100 kilometres per hour have been recorded at Albany.
Some residents have been evacuated and at least one property — farmstay resort Nutkin Lodge near Peaceful Bay — has been confirmed lost.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Superintendent Wayne Green said one of the biggest concerns was the fire burning in Napier, about 30km north-east of the town of Albany, which is home to about 35,000 people. An emergency warning has been issued for the Napier fire, which is threatening to join up with another fire burning in the southeast of the Stirling Ranges, a rugged and mountainous national park north of the township. Superintendent Green said there were dozens of fires across the area and crews were under a lot of strain.