330,000ha burned as Gascoyne blaze comes under control

A bushfire sparked 12 days ago south of the Gascoyne River is finally being brought under control by firefighters as temperatures soar to the mid-40s. The blaze was sparked by lightning on Carey Downs station on the morning of January 6, and has burned more than 330,000ha of bushland in and around the Kennedy Range National Park. It is now considered controlled, but not contained. A watch and act was issued for pastoralists in the area, while an advice was issued for residents of Gascoyne Junction, and stations between the North West Coastal Highway, Hamelin Pool, and the Carnarvon-Mullewa Road. Fifty-three volunteer firefighters, along with pastoralists and members of the Parks and Wildlife Service continue to work in containing the blaze, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services now able to reopen the Pimbee Road, Callagiddy-Winderie Road, and the Carnarvon-Mullewa Road, connecting the Gascoyne Junction townsite with the North West Coastal Highway. While no injuries or damage to homes has been reported, a significant stretch of pastoral land was burned, including some 70,000ha at Meedo Station alone. The bushfire advice has been lifted north of the Gascoyne River. However, an advice still remains in an area bound by Woodleigh in the south, the Gascoyne River in the north, and Wooramel to the west. DFES urge drivers in the area to exercise caution, or to avoid the area if possible as backburning continues.