11/01/2022
To all those who are currently fighting the fires in the Eagle Bay-Meelup-Naturaliste area, we want to say a massive thankyou. It has been and continues to be a mammoth effort from DFES, volunteers and City of Busselton.
Our thoughts and thanks to all those involved, including water bombers, fire-fighters, support crews and volunteers. For residents currently impacted by the fires and evacuation orders, we acknowledge this is a very stressful time.
PLEASE NOTE: This warning has been updated. For the latest information please visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au.
🔥 A bushfire WATCH AND ACT is in place for people in the Eagle Bay townsite, Meelup Regional Park and in an area bounded by Cape Naturaliste Road to the west and Dunsbourough Golf Club to the south, in parts of EAGLE BAY, NATURALISTE and DUNSBOROUGH in the CITY OF BUSSELTON. . 🔥
Update time: 11:30 PM, 11 January 2022.
⚠ There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and the conditions are changing.
⚠The fire started near CURTIS BAY BEACH in DUNSBOROUGH.
❗ WHAT TO DO: ❗
- If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
- If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.
- If you plan to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. You need to have access to an independent water supply, and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.
- Keep doors and windows closed and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
- If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
---AND---
🔥 A bushfire ADVICE is current for people north of Caves Road and west of Cape Naturaliste Road in parts of NATURALISTE and DUNSBOROUGH in the CITY OF BUSSELTON. 🔥
There is no threat to lives or homes. There is a lot of smoke in the area.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.
❗ WHAT TO DO: ❗
- Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
- Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
- Close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.
- Read through your bushfire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation gets worse. You can make a plan by visiting My Bushfire Plan.
If driving:
- Be extremely careful when driving through the area.
- Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
- Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
- If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.
- If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
---AND---
✅ A bushfire ALL CLEAR is current for people south of Caves Road in parts of QUEDJINUP, YALLINGUP, NATURALISTE in the CITY OF BUSSELTON. ✅
The danger has passed but you need to remain vigilant in case the situation changes.
❗ WHAT TO DO: ❗
Drive slowly and with caution due to smoke and emergency services personnel working in the area.
😷 COVID-19 😷
If you are in lockdown or any form of isolation or quarantine for COVID-19, you must do whatever you need to protect your life. If you have been personally directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 and have been advised to leave the area:
- Find suitable alternative premises and wear a mask. Those in the affected area are permitted to go to suitable alternative premises without putting others at risk.
- Alternative suitable premises may include a friend or relative's house, provided they have their own bedroom, preferably own bathroom, and there are not too many people in the house.
- If you cannot return to your quarantine location within one hour, telephone WA Police on 131 444 to advise them you have had to leave due to an emergency.
- Regardless of your location, continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.
🔥 BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR: 🔥
- The bushfire is stationary.
- It is contained but not controlled.
- Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.
- The area may experience South Easterly winds with wind gusts of up to 45km/hr.
🚨 WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING 🚨
Firefighters are protecting assets in the area and building containment lines.
🏠 SAFER PLACE: 🏠
The Welfare Centre at Geographe Leisure Centre is now closed overnight. Any one requiring assistance can contact the Disaster Relief Hotline on 1800 199 008 at any hour. If required the Welfare Centre will reopen tomorrow morning.
People who have been personally directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 should find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask. If this is not possible, proceed to the evacuation centre and identify yourself to centre staff immediately on arrival.
Continue to follow COVID-19 precautions and maintain appropriate physical distancing.Please take any essential items such as medications and identification to the evacuation centre.
Pets (except recognised assistance animals) are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons, so you should make alternative arrangements for them. If this is not possible, please still proceed to the evacuation centre with your pets and await further advice.
🚗 SAFEST ROUTE: 🚗
Parts of Cape Naturaliste Road are closed due to fire activity. If you are in the Watch and Act area and cannot safely leave, proceed to the safer places of last resort.
Safer places of last resort are at:
- Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, 42 Bunker Bay Road, off Cape Naturaliste Road, Naturaliste
- Eagle Bay Community Hall, 32 Fern Road, Eagle Bay.
🚧 ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS: 🚧
Avoid the area and be aware of fire and emergency services personnel working on site. A number of roads have been closed including:
- Endicott Loop at Cape Naturaliste Road intersection
- Cape Naturaliste Road
- Meelup Beach Road heading south
- Eagle Bay Road at the Canarvan Castle Drive intersection.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully due to smoke. Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by visiting the Main Roads Travel Map, calling 138 138 or by contacting your Local Government Authority.
COMMUNITY MEETING
- A community meeting wll be held tomorrow, Wednesday 12 January at 2pm at Geographe Leisure Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive and Recreation Lane, Busselton.
- The meeting held on Tuesday 11 January was live-streamed on You Tube by the City of Busselton - the link is https://youtu.be/nb_a9cDITMQ
ℹ For more information visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au.
