Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for Coolgardie-Esperance Highway in the western parts of KAMBALDA in the SHIRE OF COOLGARDIE

Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for Coolgardie-Esperance Highway in the western parts of KAMBALDA in the SHIRE OF COOLGARDIE

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT has been issued for people travelling along the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway between Coolgardie and Widgiemooltha in western parts of KAMBALDA in the SHIRE OF COOLGARDIE.

• The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as fire activity has increased.
• There is a possible threat to lives as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.
• You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
• The fire started near the intersection of GOLDFIELDS HIGHWAY and COOLGARDIE-ESPERANCE HIGHWAY in WIDGIEMOOLTHA
• This alert level does not include the Kambalda townsite. The townsite is covered by a Bushfire Advice.

WHAT TO DO:

If driving

• Be extremely careful when driving through the area.
• Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
• Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
• If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.
• If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

Bushfire ADVICE for KAMBALDA in the SHIRE OF COOLGARDIE

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire ADVICE has been issued for people in the townsite of KAMBALDA in the SHIRE OF COOLGARDIE.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.
• There is a lot of smoke in the area.
• Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.

WHAT TO DO:

• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
• Read through your bushfire survival plan.
• If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.

If driving

• Be extremely careful when driving through the area.
• Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
• Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
• If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.
• If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:

• The bushfire is moving fast in a east-south easterly direction at one kilometre per hour.
• It is out of control and unpredictable.
• Flames are 10 to 20 metres high.

ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:

Avoid the area and be aware of fire and emergency services personnel working on site.
A number of roads have been closed including:

• Coolgardie-Esperance Highway between Coolgardie and Salmon Gums. Access to the highway from Kambalda is also closed.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully due to smoke.

Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by calling 138 138 or visiting www.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting the Shire of Coolgardie.
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

• Firefighters are on the scene.
• Parks and Wildlife Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service firefighters are attending.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

• The fire was reported at 04:59 PM on 15 February 2019.
• DFES is managing the fire.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: https://facebook.com/dfeswa/