Residents urged to leave as bushfire barrels towards WA’s Mid West

Residents are being urged to leave immediately as a bushfire barrels towards homes in WA’s Mid West.

People at the Irwin Townsite, south of Midlands Road and north of Midlands Road between Tabletop Road and Pettit Road in parts of Mount Adams, Irwin, Mount Horner and Yardarino, just over 70km south of Geraldton, have been told to leave now towards the north if it’s safe.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an emergency alert about 3.45pm on Saturday as conditions proved troubling for fireys on the ground.

“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes,” the alert said.

Watch and Act advice is in place for people west of Brand Highway between Brand Highway and Kallis Drive in parts of Yardarino, Mount Adams and Springfield in the Shire of Irwin.

The advice area was expanded west for people in parts of Springfield, Port Denison and the southern part of Dongara, just before 5pm.

Residents in the advice area have been urged to stay alert and monitor their surroundings.

At least 100 firefighters from the Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service and Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services have been battling the blaze for hours after it was first reported just after 10.30am.

Aerial support has been assisting crews on the ground, with at least three fire-bombing planes circling the out-of-control fire through the afternoon.

But hot, windy conditions have not been on the side of firefighting efforts, with wind gusts up to 59km/h reported at 4.40pm as temperatures reached 30C.

The Shire of Irwin is managing firefighting efforts and DFES management staff are also in attendance.

Brand Highway has been closed between Midlands and Eneabba-Coolimba roads, including the highway’s intersection with Indian Ocean Drive.

Midlands Road has also been closed in both directions between Brand Highway and Mingenew.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

13 DFES (13 3337)

SES 132 500