Crossman bushfire: Albany Highway reopened as threat reduced for massive Wheatbelt and Peel bushfires

Albany Highway has been reopened to traffic after more than 6000ha was burnt from a series of fires that started in the Wheatbelt and Peel regions last Thursday.

The closure of Albany Highway between Jarrahdale Road and the Williams townsite, meant motorists had to find alternative routes to reach parts of the Wheatbelt and the Great Southern over the past few days.

At about 10pm on Saturday, the road was reopened in both directions, but speed restrictions remain in place and Main Roads WA said all motorists should exercise extreme caution in the area.

More than 150 firefighters have battled several out-of-control bushfires in the Wheatbelt region, with several alerts still in place.

On Sunday the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said that the blazes are contained but not yet controlled, with 85 firefighters still on the ground on Tuesday.

DFES also issued a warning to residents and motorists to beware of fallen trees in the area.

Several bushfires within the shires of Boddington, Wandering and Williams — all ignited by dry lightning about noon on Thursday — triggered emergency warnings in the area.

The flames have burnt about 6000ha collectively according to DFES.

In an update on Tuesday, firefighters were strengthening containment lines and mopping up with with assistance from firefighters from Newmont Mine and South32 emergency response teams.

Officers from local government, Main Roads and WA Police are on scene to support along with State Emergency Service.

About 15 people from a DFES incident management team are co-ordinating and supporting the response.

As of Monday morning, there were several advice level alerts in place.

Residents bounded by east of Albany Highway, Fuller Road, Crossman Dwarda Road and Fourteen Mile Brook Road in Crossman, Dwarda and Wandering in the shires of Wandering and Boddington have been advised to return with caution.

On Friday morning, a DFES spokesperson said there had been no confirmed reports of homes or structures lost or damaged as crews had not been able to access areas and assess.

An evacuation centre was opened at the Narrogin Leisure Centre, but was closed by Sunday.

The evacuation notice was first issued at 1.19pm on Thursday for those travelling on Albany Highway between Crossman and Wilkie roads, before being extended at 2pm, and then again at about 3.30pm to include the area bounded by Fuller Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road, Lyons Road and Albany Highway in Crossman, Dwarda and Williams in the Shire of Boddington.

Ronnie Delizo Atienza was with her family on the way to Boddington via Albany Highway on Thursday, January 22 when the fire forced them to turn around about 1pm.

“We were quite worried when we saw the smoke covering the road so everyone decided to pull over and turn back,” she said.

“The fire trucks arrived in just a few minutes.

“We also saw one of the residents evacuating the area as the bushfire was near their residence.

“At first, we weren’t sure which alternative route to take, then bystanders were helping direct some of the cars to Boddington.”

Western Power had advised power supply to about 620 homes and businesses in Wandering, Williams, Boddington and Codjatotine had been affected by the bushfire initially.

On Tuesday that number was back to 26 homes and businesses in Wandering.

Bushfire Advice - RETURN WITH CAUTION - CROSSMAN, DWARDA and WANDERING

• A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by east of Albany Highway, Fuller Road, Crossman Dwarda Road and Fourteen Mile Brook Road in CROSSMAN, DWARDA and WANDERING in The SHIRE OF WANDERING and SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.WHAT TO DOIf driving

Bushfire Advice - AVOID THE AREA - BANNISTER

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in an area bounded by east of the Boddington Gold Mine, north and west of Bannister-Marradong Road, west of Albany Highway and south of Youraling State Forest in parts of BANNISTER in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.

• The alert level for this fire has been downgraded as fire behaviour has reduced.

• 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.
• 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 - AVOID THE AREA - BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, MARRADONG and WURAMING

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in the area north of Pinjarra Williams Road and west of Bannister Marradong Road, including the Boddington townsite and eastern parts of the Boddington Gold Mine in parts of BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, MARRADONG and WURAMING in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.

• 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.
• 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 - THREAT IS REDUCED - WANDERING, CODJATOTINE, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DWARDA, CROSSMAN and WILLIAMS

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, Crossman Dwarda Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road and Wilkie Road, in parts of WANDERING, CODJATOTINE, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DWARDA, CROSSMAN and WILLIAMS in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON, SHIRE OF WANDERING and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

WHAT TO DO

• The threat of the fire has reduced however you should take care in the area.
• Stay alert for potential dangers such as smoke and fallen trees and power poles.
• If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA, or in the Emergency WA app to stay safe in future emergencies.
• Be aware of emergency services and other support personnel working in the area.

Bushfire Advice - THREAT IS REDUCED - BODDINGTON, CROSSMAN, MARRADONG and WILLIAMS

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Newmarket Road, Tyler Road, Albany Highway and south of Crossman Road in BODDINGTON, CROSSMAN, MARRADONG and WILLIAMS in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

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 - THREAT IS REDUCED - BANNISTER and NORTH BANNISTER

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, south of Bannister Road and south of Bannister Hill in BANNISTER and NORTH BANNISTER in the SHIRE OF WANDERING.

• 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.
• 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.