More than 200 firefighters continue to battle a blaze in the Shire of Dandaragan, with residents in the small coastal fishing town of Cervantes urged to evacuate, and others in a warning zone covering parts of Wedge Island, Grey, Cooljarloo and Nambung told it’s too late to leave.
Those who can leave are urged to flee north towards Jurien Bay, where an evacuation centre has been set up at the Jurien Bay Sports and Recreation Centre.
The fire has burnt through 42,800 hectares so far and strong winds are wreaking havoc on firefighters’ efforts to contain it, fanning the flames and pushing it west towards the coastal fishing town of Cervantes.
The small town’s 500 residents have been urged to evacuate, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services warning: “Conditions may get worse very quickly and block evacuation routes.”
Two firefighters were injured on Wednesday while battling the blaze, with one flown to Fiona Stanley Hospital for treatment.
DFES Superintendent and incident controller Sven Andersen was just on 6PR, where he revealed the fire had travelled 15 kilometres to the north overnight.
“It’s been a challenging few days I think,” he said.
“The firefighters are using every tool available – back burning, direct attack, we’ve been using air [support] with retardant and foam and water, whatever equipment we have in our bags.”
Despite the huge scale of the fire, there have been no reports of property damage.
Remember, for the most up-to-date information, visit Emergency WA, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Facebook, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.
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