Bushfire south-east of Northcliffe, Western Australia

Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for south of Northcliffe in the Shire of Manjimup
Monday 20 February 2012 – 4:50 PM
This alert is issued on behalf of the Department of Environment and Conservation
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING remains in place for people west of the Gardner River in the area between Double Bridge Road and Summertime Track south of Northcliffe in the Shire of Manjimup.

While the fire is still about 8km south of Northcliffe, south-south-easterly winds this afternoon will threaten containment lines, increasing the risk of fire reaching properties in the area.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
WHAT TO DO:
· If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.
· Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute is deadly.
· It is not safe to stay and actively defend. Your best chance for survival is to leave.
· If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.
RELOCATION ROUTES:
If you live in the area, leave via Windy Harbour Road towards Northcliffe.
RELOCATION POINTS:
Your safer place may be with family or friends who live away from the area. The Department of Child Protection and the Shire of Manjimup have set up a relocation centre at the Pemberton Sports Centre.

ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire WATCH AND ACT remains in place for people in the vicinity of Northcliffe, properties south of Boorara and Richardson roads and the settlement of Windy Harbour.

There is a possible threat to lives and property as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing. You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
WHAT TO DO:
· Put your bushfire survival plan into action.
· 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 property make final preparations now.
· If you are planning on travelling to Windy Harbour do not proceed past Northcliffe until advised that it is safe to do so.
· If you are staying in Windy Harbour it is recommended that you remain there as the fire has burnt out to Windy Harbour Road.

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire ADVICE remains in place for people in the following areas in the Shire of Manjimup:
· The coastal area between the Gardner River and Broke Inlet
· Shannon
· Broke Inlet area
· Properties east of Northcliffe
There is no threat to lives or homes. Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date.

WHAT TO DO:

Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
Read through your bushfire survival plan.
If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.

ROAD CLOSURES:
A number of roads have been closed including:
· Windy Harbour Road, south of Chesapeake Road
· Chesapeake Road – between Broke Inlet and Windy Harbour Road
· Deeside Coast Road – closed between Nelson Road and Chesapeake Road
· Dean Road – west of Deeside Coast Road
· Northcliffe Log Road South – south of Preston Road
· Bannister Road – south of Boorara Road
· Boorara Access Road
· All other forest roads and tracks south of KTC, Dean and Nelson roads
For further details contact DEC on 9776 1207.
Motorists should avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services
personnel working on site.
RECREATION SITE CLOSURES:
Recreation sites have been closed in the D’Entrecasteaux and Boorara-Gardner national parks, east of Windy Harbour and west of Broke Inlet.
BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:
The bushfire escaped containment lines yesterday afternoon. While it is now contained from newly established control lines overnight, it is unpredictable and could threaten containment lines.
The fire has burnt through about 27,000ha, and the total area within containment lines is about 38,000ha.
Winds are strengthening from the south-south-east to 18kmh with gusts up to 26kmh. There is active fire within containment lines that is not controlled. This means homes south of Northcliffe may be impacted by the fire and you need to keep up to date. Fire crews have been working to strengthen containment lines ahead of the fire.
SMOKE
Smoke from the bushfire will drift north-westerly this afternoon and may affect visibility along the west coast from Augusta to Bunbury throughout today.
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:
About 100 DEC personnel, supported by FESA, Shire of Manjimup, volunteer bushfire brigades and plantation companies, are working to control and contain the fire on the western and northern boundaries. Firefighters are being assisted by 21 fire trucks, four machines and seven aircraft (including four water bombers and a type 1 aircraft).
Department for Child Protection and WA Police are also providing support.

AGENCY RESPONSIBLE:
DEC is managing the fire.