Source: Emergency WA

Bushfire Emergency Warning - in the area bounded by Moondah Drive, Ashworth Road and Mooliabeenee Road in parts of MOONDAH and GINGINUP in the SHIRES OF GINGIN
The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

Please note addition of an Emergency Warning area

Time of issue: 12:46 PM
Date of issue: 16 January 2024

Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for parts of MOONDAH and GINGINUP in the SHIRES OF GINGIN
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING is in place for people in the area bounded by Moondah Drive, Ashworth Road and Mooliabeenee Road in parts of MOONDAH and GINGINUP in the SHIRES OF GINGIN.

You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
The alert level for this fire has been upgraded due to lightning strikes in the area and increased fire activity.

WHAT TO DO
For people on Peterson Rise

It's too late to leave, leaving now will put your life in danger.
You need to shelter in your home in a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.
You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you.
Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
For People north of Peterson Rise

If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.
Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger.
Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home.
Go to a room in your home away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.
Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
If you are not at home, it's too dangerous to return.
Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for parts of BINDOON, BREERA, GINGIN, LENNARD BROOK, MOOLIABEENEE and MOONDAH in the SHIRES OF GINGIN and CHITTERING
Bushfire ADVICE for parts of BINDOON, BREERA, CHITTERING, GINGIN, GINGINUP, GRANVILLE, LENNARD BROOK, MOOLIABEENEE and MOONDAH in the SHIRES OF GINGIN and CHITTERING
Bushfire ALL CLEAR for parts of BAMBUN and COONABIDGEE in the SHIRE OF CHITTERING

BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR
It is contained but not controlled.
There is a potential for enhanced fire conditions today due to the unstable atmosphere, variable winds and high temperatures.

SAFER PLACE
The evacuation centre at Bendigo Centre Recreation Ground is currently closed.
If you need assistance, please present to the Emergency Operations Centre at 52 Weld Street, Gingin.

SAFEST ROUTE
For people in the Emergency Warning area, north of Peterson Road it is safe to leave in a northerly direction. For people in the Watch and Act area, if safe to do so, leave west towards Brand Highway and head north to Gingin.

ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS
Avoid the area and be aware of fire and emergency services personnel working on site.

Please note that Ashby Road is now open.

A number of roads have been closed including:

Teatree Road between Mooliabeenee Road and Gray Road
Leonard Road from the intersection of Cockram Road
Mooliabeenee Road between Old Mooliabeenee Road and Cullalla Road
Creighton Road
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.

POWER
63 customers are without power in Ginginup, Moondah, Mooliabeenee, Lennard Brook and Gingin due to the bushfire.

Those within the bushfire zone who remain without power will not be able to be restored until crews are able to access the fire ground under the direction of DFES. At least 38 poles are believed to be damaged. Network operations centre will backfeed where possible to restore power and crews are on site completing repair works where safe to do so.

Initially 920 homes and businesses power supply in Mooliabeenee, Coonabidgee, Cullalla, Gingin, Granville, Moondah, Beermullah, Lennard Brook, Muckenburra, Ginginup, Bambun and Yeal was impacted. The majority of these customers have had their power restored through backfeeding.

For further details visit www.westernpower.com.au

REGISTER.FIND.REUNITE
Register with Register.Find.Reunite to let your family and loved ones know you're OK via https://redcross.org.au from any computer or mobile device, or at an evacuation centre.

If you are unable to contact a loved one who may have been affected by the fires, you can enquire about their whereabouts through the online Register.Find.Reunite. system at https://redcross.org.au or at an evacuation centre.

ANIMAL WELFARE
Owners or carers of livestock, pets and companion animals should activate their own animal welfare plan. During a bushfire take advice from Local Government Authorities to protect the lives of your animals while keeping yourself safe.

For more information on actions to take for each bushfire warning level, please see the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING
Firefighters are patrolling containment lines and blacking out hot spots.
Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.
There is 105 personnel and 42 appliances on scene

EXTRA INFORMATION
The fire was reported at 09:07 AM on 13 January 2024.
Currently there has been approximately 2,900 hectares burnt.
DFES is managing the fire.

KEEP UP TO DATE
Visit Emergency WA, call 13 DFES , follow DFES on Facebook, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.

Updates will be issued every hour unless the situation changes.

DFES Bushfires