Fast-moving bushfire threatens lives and homes in WA Wheatbelt, Lancelin
Alerts for a fire that threatened an ice rink and theme park in Perth's south has been downgraded. Photo: AAP
Lives and properties are under threat from out-of-control bushfires in West Australia’s Wheatbelt and a tourist town north of Perth.
An emergency warning has been issued for parts of West Toodyay, Coondle and Julimar, about 100 kilometres north-east of Perth.
“There is a threat to lives and homes,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on Wednesday.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.”
Five firefighters battling the blaze were injured after their fire truck rolled.
DFES said the group sustained minor injuries and the incident would be investigated.
One firefighter, a man aged in his 40s, was taken by paramedics to Northam Hospital for treatment.
The fire is moving fast in a westerly direction. It is not contained or controlled.
The emergency warning covered people in an area bounded by Trig Road, Coondle West Road, Julimar Road, Harders Chitty Road, Parkland Drive, including Sinclair Place and Donegan View, Julimar Road and Heine Road.
People north of Julimar Road can leave in an easterly or westerly direction.
An evacuation centre has been set up at Toodyay Memorial Hall.
Homes on Parkland Drive, Munnapin Rise, Malkup Brook Road, Sand Spring Road, Howard Road, Powder Bark Road, Sinclair Place and Donegan View are threatened by fire.
A number of roads have been closed, including Julimar Road from Chittering Road to Coondle West Road.
The Shire of Toodyay borders the north-eastern edge of the Perth metropolitan area and has a population of about 4600 people.
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An emergency warning has also been issued for an out-of-control fire near the small fishing and tourist town of Lancelin, about 127 kilometres north of Perth.
The alert says homes in the Lancelin townsite are under threat as the fire burns north-west.
It calls on residents to leave toward the Lancelin Jetty if safe and notes Lancelin Road is closed.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned fresh easterly winds and dry conditions would lead to elevated fire dangers.
“There is also the risk of high-based thunderstorms with dry lightning, exacerbating the fire dangers,” the alert said.
Total fire bans have been enacted for the Perth Metropolitan, Goldfields Midlands, South West districts on Thursday.
-AAP
