Bushfires are continuing to burn in Western Australia’s southwest, threatening homes and lives.
Around the grey nomad mecca of Margaret River, a blaze which escaped from a prescribed burn in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park on Wednesday, has destroyed 28 houses and nine holiday chalets over 3177 hectares.
Some 400 firefighters have been tackling the fire.
Hundreds of residents and holidaymakers have been evacuated and an emergency warning remains in place for residents south and west of the Margaret River township. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that an emergency relocation centre has been operating at the Margaret River Cultural Centre. Roads around the fire zone have been closed and will not reopen until deemed safe by authorities.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett has defended the state’s prescribed burning system but says an inquiry will be held into the Margaret River fire, which is likely to be declared a natural disaster.
Elsewhere in the southwest, a bushfire watch and act alert has been issued for people in the Blackpoint and Glenoran areas in the Shire of Nannup.
The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) says the bushfire is moving fast in a easterly direction towards the Vasse Highway and is out of control and unpredictable.
