Emergency warning issued after out-of-control bushfire rages through South West

An emergency bushfire warning has expanded as authorities desperately work to save lives and homes in the South West.

On Saturday night, authorities said local residents in the southern parts of Lane Poole Reserve, west of the Nanga campground, areas west of Warrinup State Forrest and north of Tallathalla Road were in danger and needed to act immediately to survive.

The fire started in state forest west of Nanga Brook Campground, in the Shire of Waroona, and people are urged to leave in a westerly direction if it is safe.

The fire was moving fast in a westerly direction. It is both out of control and unpredictable.

Firefighters remained at the scene on Saturday night, actively fighting the fire, with aerial support sent to assist ground crews.

Local bushfire brigades were also in attendance.

The Department of Communities has set up an evacuation centre at Murray Aquatic and Recreation Centre, 16 Camp Road in Pinjarra.

Those on their way there are asked to bring any essential items such as medications and identification to the evacuation centre. But pets — except recognised assistance animals — are not allowed inside evacuation centres for health and safety reasons.

The blaze was first reported at 12.12pm and had razed 321 hectares by 6pm on Saturday.

Krista Bates said she feared her property - which is approximately 110 hectares in size and includes a pine plantation- had burned down.

“The embers were already there and I’m told the entirety of the plantation had possibly burned down... I would have lost about half a million dollars,” she said.

“If the house, the donga, the storage and the pine is gone, you are looking at a loss of $750,000.”

“I had organised the pine to be harvested in a couple of weeks.”

Ms Bates said she thought her caretakers had “lost their lives” before they managed to save all of her animals.

“It’s pretty scary... they went back for the animals and we didn’t hear from them,” she said.

“They got out with all of our animals and they got every single animal out, god bless them.

The community has since opened their homes to the animals after Ms Bates asked for help over Facebook.

“Within two hours I had a safe place to put every single one of them,” she said.

Some roads may be closed including Nanga Road and Nanga Brook Road. Lane Poole Reserve is closed, and all campgrounds within Lane Poole Reserve are closed.

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

A further watch and act warning has also been put in place for people in an area further to the west of Nanga Townsite, including Lake Navarino/Waroona Dam.

In that area, there is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.

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.

For the latest information visit Emergency WA