Warnbro bushfire alert: DFES advises residents to prepare to leave parts of Cooloongup, Safety Bay and Waikiki

DFES have issued a ‘prepare to leave’ bushfire warning for parts of Cooloongup, Safety Bay, Waikiki and Warnbro as firefighters battle the blaze.

The warning was issued at 7.52pm on Monday evening with a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing.

A number of roads have been closed including Safety Bay Road is closed from Baldivis Road to Ennis Avenue. Ennis Avenue is also closed from Wilmott Drive to Royal Palm Drive.

The bushfire is moving fast in a north westerly direction.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully.

Warnbro Station is closed due to the fire. Trains are running from Rockingham to Perth, and replacement buses from Rockingham to Mandurah but not stopping at Warnbro Station.

Jayda Hall shared a video on Facebook of the ‘massive’ fire from Safety Bay Road showing the extent of the blaze.

At around 8.30pm, Rockingham Volunteer Fire and Rescue service said that they were “on the scene with multiple crews” near Warnbro train station and Lake Cooloongup.

WHAT TO DO

• If your plan is to leave, leave now.
• Take your emergency kit with you. It should include an AM/FM radio that runs off batteries, a first aid kit, a woollen blanket, phones, protective clothing, medication and irreplaceable valuables.
• Decide where you will go and how you will get there. This could be with family or friends away from the fire.
• Keep your doors and windows closed to keep out smoke.
• Turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible to prevent embers entering your home.
• If you plan to stay and defend ensure you are mentally and physically prepared, with protective clothing and an independent water supply. Make final preparations now and start patrolling your property to put out spot fires.