A bushfire emergency warning has been issued as a blaze threatens lives and homes in the South West WA town of Augusta.
The fire started near the Bussell Highway and the Westbay Retreat Caravan Park in Augusta, about 300 kilometres south of Perth.
Homes in the area bounded by Bussell Highway, Caves Road, Green Hill Road, Jane Road and Palmdale Avenue Road are all under threat.
The fire is burning on both sides of Bussell Highway in paddocks and moving fast in a north-westerly direction.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services says Poole Road, about 5 kilometres north of where the blaze began, could be impacted by 4:40pm.
While the fire appears to be moving away from town, there are a number of properties in its path.
There is also a bushfire watch and act alert for people bounded by Bussell Highway, Calkarri Road and Hillview Road in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching, and DFES is advising people to leave or get ready to actively defend their property.
Caves Road from Stockdill Road to Bussell Highway is closed in both directions.
Firefighters save homes
Shire of Augusta chief bushfire control officer Dave Holland told ABC Radio Perth he did not think any homes had been damaged so far.
"We've managed to keep it away from a number of houses. As far as we're aware we have not had any damage to any structures," he said.
"As far as I'm aware [the people at the caravan park] are all safe.
"We're setting some parameters as to what we aim to achieve over the next couple of hours.
"We're pretty confident we're going to be able to put it up without too much drama."
He said firefighters were grappling with south south-easterly winds blowing at 25 to 40 kilometres an hour, whipping up the flames.
"It's causing us a few problems, but we seem to be coping OK," he said.
Fire very close to town
Local butcher Archie Brooks told the ABC he believed a large number of housing units on the side of Bussell Highway were in danger.
"There's a big pile of smoke just coming back from West Bay Caravan Park retreat," he said.
"There's all dense bushland heading back through, a lot of housing units through to the left of it on Bussell Highway. All of those are in danger."
He said he thought the fire was about half a kilometre outside the town.
There were already water bombers in the air, and Mr Brooks said he was helping a friend collect his belongings and get out of the area.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued the following advice to people in the area:
- If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.
- Do not wait and see — leaving at the last minute is deadly.
- If your plan is to stay and actively defend your home, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
- If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
- If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.
- Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
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