People west of Bailup Road who plan to leave have been urged to leave now if the way is clear by travelling north along Bailup Road or Mayo Road.

“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the warning reads. “There is a threat to lives and homes.”

Aerial vision shows at least one home engulfed in flames with black smoke bellowing from the property as firefighters try and control the flames.

An evacuation centre has been set up at Brown Park Recreation Complex on Amherst Road in Swan View. The fire was reported about noon on Monday and is burning fast towards Toodyay Road.

DFES is managing the fire, with firefighters at the scene actively trying to contain the blaze. Aerial support and the large air tanker have been deployed to assist crews.

The fire has burnt through about 230 hectares and destroyed at least one home.

DFES said the cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.

A bushfire watch and act alert is also in place for people in the vicinity of Lilydale Road, Liberton Road and Toodyay Road in Chidlow; McNamara Road and Burma Road in Wundowie; O’Brien Road to the east, Toodyay Road to the south, Clenton Road to the north and Railway Crescent to the west in parts of Gidgegannup, Millendon, Walyunga National Park, Upper Swan, Hovea, Middle Swan, Red Hill, Jane Brook, Baskerville, Herne Hill, and Brigadoon in the Shire of Mundaring and the City of Swan.

WHAT TO DO:

  • For people East of Bailup Road and West of Toodyay Road, it’s too late to leave and leaving now would be deadly.
  • You need to shelter in your home in a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.
  • You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you.
  • Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
  • Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
  • If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
  • Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
  • For people West of Bailup Road, if you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear by travelling north along Bailup Road or Mayo Road.
  • If you are in an area subject to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, put your bushfire plan into action now and continue to follow precautions to minimise the spread of the virus.

If you have been personally directed to self-isolating or quarantine due to COVID-19:

  • Leave now, find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.
  • If you are unable to return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency.
  • Regardless of your location, continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.

The Department of Communities has set up an evacuation centre at Brown Park Recreation Complex on Amherst Road, near the intersection of Salisbury Road, in Swan View.

People who have been personally directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19, and anyone in a region subject to lockdown restrictions, should find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.

If this is not possible, proceed to the evacuation centre and identify yourself to centre staff immediately on arrival.

Protocols are in place to minimise COVID-19 risk at the evacuation centre and you must follow the directions of centre staff. Continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing. Please take any essential items such as medications and identification to the evacuation centre.

Pets (except recognised assistance animals) are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons, so you should make alternative arrangements for them. If this is not possible, please still proceed to the evacuation centre with your pets and await further advice.

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:

  • Toodyay Road in both directions between Bunning Road to Bailup Road
  • Government Road at Needham Road
  • Werribee Road at Cheddaring Road
  • Bailup Road
  • Burma Road

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

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 travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting the Shire of Mundaring.

POWER:

Western Power has advised parts of Gidgegannup, Bailup and Wooroloo are without power.
For further details visit www.westernpower.com.au/faults-outages/power-outages

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