The town of Dunsborough in Western Australia's south west is facing a severe bushfire threat, with authorities issuing an emergency warning and ordering residents to evacuate immediately. The fire, which started on Sunday at around 12:45pm, is burning out of control and is moving in a north easterly direction, with burning embers being blown towards nearby homes. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has warned that there is an imminent threat to lives and homes, and people are being urged to act immediately to survive. A watch and act warning remains in place for people bounded by Hansen St and Beach Rd to the north, Gifford Rd to the east, Caves Rd to the south and Cape Naturaliste Rd to the west in Dunsborough.
Multiple crews are on scene actively battling the fire, including support from two water bombers and two helitacks. The fire is unpredictable and is not contained or controlled, with a risk of burning embers being blown to nearby homes. Residents have described seeing flames burning dangerously close to homes, and authorities have warned that the situation is extremely dangerous. An evacuation centre has been set up at Naturaliste Community Centre in Dunsborough for people who have left their homes and have nowhere to go. The emergency warning zone has been extended, with people bounded by Beach Road to the north, Gifford Road to the west, Dun Bay Road to the south and the coast to the east being told to prepare to evacuate now.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but it is believed to have started on Robertson Drive in a nearby nature reserve. The fire is a reminder of the danger of bushfires in Western Australia, particularly during the hot summer months. Residents are being urged to stay informed and to follow the instructions of authorities, and to prioritize their safety above all else. The situation is being closely monitored, and updates are being provided regularly. People are advised to avoid the area and to follow the instructions of authorities, and to prioritize their safety above all else.
A timeline of events is as follows:
* 12:45pm on Sunday: The fire starts on Robertson Drive in a nearby nature reserve
* 4:51pm on Sunday: The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issues a bushfire warning for Dunsborough
* 6:45pm on Sunday: The warning is downgraded to a watch and act, but the situation remains extremely dangerous
* Sunday evening: An evacuation centre is set up at Naturaliste Community Centre in Dunsborough
* Monday: The fire continues to burn out of control, with multiple crews on scene actively battling the fire. Stakeholder views on the situation include:
* Department of Fire and Emergency Services: The situation is extremely dangerous, and people are being urged to act immediately to survive
* City of Busselton Mayor Phill Cronin: The fire crews came from across the surrounding areas to help, and there's been a lot of air support
* Residents: The situation is terrifying, and people are being urged to prioritize their safety above all else. Policy points to note include:
* The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is urging people to evacuate now and find a safe place to shelter away from the area of the fire
* An evacuation centre has been set up at Naturaliste Community Centre in Dunsborough for people who have left their homes and have nowhere to go
* Cape Naturaliste Road and Naturaliste Terrace have been closed due to the fire, and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
Statistical data on the fire includes:
* The fire has burned an estimated 100 hectares of land
* Multiple homes have been destroyed or damaged
* Hundreds of people have been evacuated from the area. The situation is being closely monitored, and updates are being provided regularly. People are advised to stay informed and to follow the instructions of authorities, and to prioritize their safety above all else.