Source: Emergency WA

Bushfire Watch and Act - in or near the Strelley Aboriginal Community or travelling along Great Northern Highway and Marble Bar Road in parts of DE GREY, STRELLEY AND PIPPINGARRA in the TOWN OF PORT HEDLAND

The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES)

Please note changes to warning area

Time of issue: 04:15 PM
Date of issue: 06 September 2021

Bushfire WATCH AND ACT for parts of DE GREY, STRELLEY AND PIPPINGARRA in the TOWN OF PORT HEDLAND

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire WATCH AND ACT is in place for people in or near the Strelley Aboriginal Community or travelling along Great Northern Highway and Marble Bar Road in parts of DE GREY, STRELLEY AND PIPPINGARRA in the TOWN OF PORT HEDLAND.

The alert level for this fire has been upgraded due to increased fire activity and the impact to Great Northern Highway and Marble Bar Road.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.

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.

At all times close all doors and windows 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.

If you are in an area subject to COVID-19 restrictions, put your bushfire plan into action now and continue to follow precautions to minimise spread of the virus.

If you have been personally directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 and plan to leave:

Leave now, find alternative suitable premises and wear a mask.

If you are unable to 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 moving fast in a westerly direction.

It is not contained or controlled.

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:

Great Northern Highway between Marble Bar Road and De Grey rest area.

Marble Bar Road between Great Northern Highway intersection to ShawRiver / Abydos.

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 calling 138 138 or visiting travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting the TOWN OF PORT HEDLAND.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

Firefighters are monitoring the situation.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

The fire was reported at 03:56 PM on 1 September 2021.

Town of Port Hedland is managing the fire.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa, 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.


DFES Bushfires