Fitzgerald River National Park fire: Monster fire contained but not controlled after razing 167,000ha of land

Firefighters managed to contain the mammoth blaze in Fitzgerald River National Park on Monday morning after almost a fortnight of battling the inferno.

The fire was sparked by lightning at 2.30pm on January 16 and has been burning consistently through the shires of Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe for 12 days and razed 167,000ha.

The fire is stationary but not yet under control.

A bushfire watch and act remains in place for people in an area north of South Coast Highway to Gordon Road, south of South Coast Highway to the coastline, bounded by Koornong Road to Whalebone Beach on the west and Moir Road and John Forrest Road on the east in parts of Fitzgerald National Park, West River, Hopetoun (excluding the townsite) and Ravensthorpe (also excluding the townsite) in the Shire of Ravensthorpe, as of Tuesday morning.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes.

More than 60 firefighters, 48 incident management team members, 15 appliances, five machines and three aircraft are actively fighting the fire and strengthening containment lines.

In a post on January 23, a Parks and Wildlife Service spokesperson said the fire had been “particularly tough”.

“Yesterday’s hot, windy conditions caused significant fire behaviour, with the fire taking runs in several directions as winds shifted,” their post said.

“It has now burnt through around 146,000ha and remains extremely difficult to get under control — still largely burning within the national park.

“With several fires still active across WA, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all firefighters, staff, volunteers and communities pulling together in tough conditions.”

The fire has since burnt an additional 21,000ha.

Temporary evacuation centres set up at Jerramungup Entertainment Centre and Newdegate Recreation Centre have closed.

South Coast Highway was reopened between Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe on Monday with speed restrictions in place.

The Fitzgerald River National Park and all roads within the park have been closed since January 17.

Several evacuation warnings were issued on January 22 as the long-burning blaze flared back up, with people in parts of Bremer Bay, Jacup, West Fitzgerald, West River and Fitzgerald River National Park and Hopetoun urged to leave.

Speaking to the Advertiser on the same day, Sam Mills, who works at the Bremer Bay Caravan Park, said the Bremer Bay townsite was unaffected, although she had seen smoke on the main road out of town.

“We have been told to stay put and not stress; we are in the safest place we can be because of the inlet,” she said.

“The fire would have to cross the inlet to affect us, but we are keeping a close eye.

“The road out of town was smoky this morning but it is less so now.”

Bushfire Watch and Act - MONITOR CONDITIONS - parts of FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK, WEST RIVER, HOPETOUN excluding Hopetoun townsite, and RAVENSTHORPE excluding Ravensthorpe townsite

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people in an area north of South Coast Highway to Gordon Road, south of South Coast Highway to the coastline, bounded by Koornong Road to Whalebone Beach on the west and Moir Road and John Forrest Road on the east, in parts of FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK, WEST RIVER, HOPETOUN excluding Hopetoun townsite, and RAVENSTHORPE excluding Ravensthorpe townsite, in the SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE.

• There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing.

WHAT TO DO

• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings as conditions could change.
• You may need to act quickly so ensure you are prepared if the situation gets worse.
• Read through your plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.
• Have your emergency kit ready.
• If you find it hard to move quickly, leaving now is your safest option.
• Keep your doors and windows closed to keep out smoke.
• Continue to patrol your property and be ready to put out spot fires.
• If you plan to stay and defend ensure you are mentally and physically prepared, with protective clothing and an independent water supply.

Bushfire Advice - AVOID THE AREA - FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK, JACUP, RAVENSTHORPE, WEST FITZGERALD and WEST RIVER

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in an area west of a line from Koornong Road intersection with South Coast Hwy south to Whalebone Beach, South Coast Highway to the north, coastline to the south, and Quiss Road, Pabelup Drive and Fitzgerald Inlet Track to the west, in FITZGERALD RIVER NATIONAL PARK in the SHIRE OF JERRAMUNGUP and SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

WHAT TO DO

• Continue to stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Be aware of other potential dangers such as falling trees and damaged properties and infrastructure.
• Close all doors and windows and stay inside if smoke is causing you concern.

If driving

• 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 - MONITOR CONDITIONS - WEST RIVER and FITZGERALD

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in the area west of Fitzgerald Road to Koornong Road, and north of South Coast Highway, in parts of WEST RIVER and FITZGERALD in the SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

• There is a lot of smoke in the area.

WHAT TO DO

• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Read through your plan and decide what you will do if the situation gets worse. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA, or in the Emergency WA app.
• 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.
• 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 - MONITOR CONDITIONS - parts of HOPETOUN and RAVENSTHORPE

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in the area east of the Watch and Act alert bounded by Gordon Road to the north, extending from the intersection of Moir Road along Desmond Road, Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Road to the east, and John Forrest and Phillips River Roads to the south in parts of HOPETOUN and RAVENSTHORPE, including the townsite of HOPETOUN, in the SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

• There is a lot of smoke in the area.

WHAT TO DO

• Continue to stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Be aware of other potential dangers such as falling trees and damaged properties and infrastructure.
• Close all doors and windows and stay inside if smoke is causing you concern.
• Be ready if the situation escalates. Read through your plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.

Bushfire Advice - MONITOR CONDITIONS - RAVENSTHORPE and WEST RIVER

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in areas north-east of the Watch and Act bounded by Koornong Road to the west, Aerodrome Road to the north, Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Road to the east and Desmond Road to the south, in parts of RAVENSTHORPE and WEST RIVER, including the townsite of RAVENSTHORPE, in the SHIRE OF RAVENSTHORPE.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

• There is a lot of smoke in the area.

WHAT TO DO

• Continue to stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Be aware of other potential dangers such as falling trees and damaged properties and infrastructure.
• Close all doors and windows and stay inside if smoke is causing you concern.
• Be ready if the situation escalates. Read through your plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.