WA Communities on Edge as West River Bushfire Warning Eases
So, here’s what’s been unfolding in Western Australia, and it’s been a tense couple of days for people living around West River, Fitzgerald, and the surrounding shires. A large bushfire that sparked suddenly on Wednesday afternoon was initially moving so fast and unpredictably that residents were urged to leave their homes immediately. That emergency warning has since been downgraded, but everyone in the area is still being told to stay alert, because while the blaze has been contained, it definitely isn’t under control yet.
The fire started in a paddock around 1.10pm, and within hours, an emergency alert was issued for a big stretch of land bordered by West River Road, Old Ongerup Road, and Fitzgerald Road. People were warned that lives and homes were under direct threat, and for a while, things escalated quickly. By mid-afternoon, the watch and act zone had expanded even further, covering parts of both the Shire of Ravensthorpe and the Shire of Jerramungup, which really showed how fast the situation was shifting.
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Two water bombers were flown in, joining around 50 firefighters—both career and volunteer—who were working alongside local farmers on the ground. Roads had to be closed, including a section of South Coast Highway, and drivers were strongly urged to stay clear of the area or at least move slowly through the smoke if they absolutely had to travel. Police have been helping manage roadblocks and keep everyone safe. Thankfully, DFES later confirmed that the blaze appears to have been accidental and is not a flare-up from the massive fire that tore through the region just last week.
And that recent fire is still weighing heavily on people’s minds. Just over a week ago, more than 4500 hectares burned in the Shire of Ravensthorpe, and sadly, farmer and deputy shire president Mark Mudie lost his life trying to defend his property. Communities are still grieving, and the fact that another fire has broken out so soon afterward has left many on edge.
Residents who remain at home are being told to keep watching for smoke, flames, or falling trees, to close windows if the air becomes too smoky, and to be prepared to act if conditions change again. Drivers are being reminded to slow down, use headlights, and wait it out if visibility drops. It’s all about staying calm, staying aware, and staying ready.
So while the immediate danger has eased for now, people in West River, Fitzgerald, and West Fitzgerald are being urged not to let their guard down. Conditions can shift quickly, and as this past week has shown, the impacts of bushfires can be devastating and deeply felt across entire communities.
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