Entire WA town evacuated in face of fire

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Driving up the main street in Margaret River this afternoon. Surreal! (twitpic.com)

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Entire WA town evacuated in face of fire

thewall.com.au | 11:02 am Nov 23, 2011

The residents of an entire town on Western Australia's southwest coast have fled to the local beach in the face of a raging bushfire that has claimed some homes and is threatening others.
Surfpoint Backpacker's Hostel manager Will Carter said more than 200 Prevelly residents had gathered on the beach near the mouth of the Margaret River, about 280km south of Perth, after being forced out of their homes by the blaze.
"We had the call to evacuate and we travelled to the river mouth, which is near the ocean, because the main road is blocked off," he said.
"There's one road in and out of Prevelly, but when there's a fire - just like last time - everyone in Prevelly is put at risk.
"There are about 20 of us at the river mouth and probably a couple of hundred people at Surf Point, on the beach, waiting for the fire to die down."
WA's Department of Conservation (DEC) confirmed at 5pm (WST) on Wednesday "several homes" had been engulfed in flames, with media reports of 10 or more homes destroyed.
Mr Carter said it was "unbelievable" the DEC had caused the fire.
The department confirmed the blaze had started when a prescribed burn got out of control in nearby Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park on Wednesday morning.
"It's a laughable scenario," Mr Carter said.
"The wind has been blowing so much down here today, I cannot believe they decided to do a burn today."
The bushfire has already burned more than 1000 hectares north of Margaret River, with the fire continuing to spread towards the tourist and surfing town of Prevelly.
Mr Carter said the entire town was now sitting on the beach waiting for the fire to burn itself out.
"We're just waiting for someone to tell us it's okay," he said.
"The co-ordination of people to move them wherever they were has been handled reasonably effectively for an area that, in my mind, is completely unprepared for it."
A DEC officer said by 3.50pm (WST) the situation was serious and escalating, with the fire beginning to encroach on houses in the area.
More DEC and other firefighting units were on their way to the scene, he said.
The DEC warned earlier the fire was "out of control and unpredictable".
More than 100 fire personnel and 30 fire units from the DEC, Fire and Rescue Service and local volunteer bushfire brigades are on the scene.
Two helicopters and two fixed-wing water bombers are assisting ground crews.
Firefighters were expecting the wind to change from the northeast to northwest and then to west-northwest at about 5pm (WST), which could threaten other areas.
The major tourist town of Margaret River is about 10km east of the blaze, and a relocation point has been set up at the local Cultural Centre on Wallcliffe Rd, next to the shire office, for those who have had to evacuate.
Caves Rd, between Ellen Brook Rd and Wallcliffe Rd, has been closed.
Motorists are being told to avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.
The Cape to Cape walk has also been closed between Gracetown and Margaret River.
Police have issued a travel warning for the greater Margaret River region, advising motorists to avoid roads around Prevelly and Kilcarnup and to check with FESA or the local shire.
School leavers heading to the southwest for weekend celebrations are also being asked to take care on the roads.
About 60km east of Margaret River, a bushfire warning has been issued for an area 30km southwest of Nannup where a blaze is raging in state forest near the intersection of Brockman Highway and Stewart Road.
No homes or lives are threatened at this stage, but there is a smoke warning.
Yet another bushfire is being battled northeast of Denmark, about 415km southeast of Perth and about 230km southeast of Margaret River, with no threat to homes or lives at this stage.
The fire was reported near Centre Break Rd, in Mount Lindesay National Park, at about 2.50pm (WST) on Wednesday.
The DEC said the fire was moving slowly in a southerly direction towards the Hay River area and was out of control.
Winds in the area were forecast to change from north-easterly to south-easterly later in the afternoon, which would assist firefighters.
DEC fire crews and volunteer firefighters from the Shire of Denmark are working to contain the fire.

Margaret River bushfire contained but not yet controlled

abc.net.au | 6:56 pm Nov 23, 2011

A bushfire emergency warning is current for people in the shire of Augusta-Margaret River. The DEC have confirmed that 20 houses have been damaged. David Holland, Deputy Fire Chief for the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River says the fire is contained but not…
Lives, homes in danger as blaze rages - Local News - News - General - Augusta Margaret River Mail

margaretrivermail.com.au | 12:10 pm Nov 23, 2011

AT least 20 homes have been ravaged by fire as firefighters continue to battle an out of control blaze near Margaret River. However a local has estimated at least 35 homes may have been destroyed. Residents in the area have been forced to stay and defend…
Galleries: Pictures: Residents flee SW blaze

perthnow.com.au | 4:45 pm Nov 23, 2011

Fire crews battle massive blaze in Ellen Brook near Margaret River as residents flee the out-of-control fire.
Homes threatened in South-West bushfire emergency

perthnow.com.au | 8:54 am Nov 23, 2011

DOZENS of homes are believed to have been destroyed as a fast-moving and out-of-control bushfire burns in the Margaret River region. A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for people in Kilcarnup and Prevelly subdivisions and the area north of…
Alerts and Warnings

fesa.wa.gov.au | 4:23 pm Nov 23, 2011
Bushfire Connect

bushfireconnect.org | 5:01 am Mar 9, 2011
Alerts and Warnings Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for Kilcarnup and Prevelly subdivisions and the area north of Wallcliffe Rd and east of Caves Rd in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.

fesa.wa.gov.au | 1:30 pm Nov 23, 2011
Perth Now

perthnow.com.au | 9:21 am Nov 8, 2011
Alerts and Warnings Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for people in the Kilcarnup, Prevelly and Wilderness subdivisions and the area north of Wallcliffe Rd and east of Caves Rd in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.

fesa.wa.gov.au | 5:49 pm Nov 23, 2011