Several campgrounds, wineries and tourist attractions have been evacuated as a bushfire threatens lives and homes in Western Australia’s south west.
The area affected is around the Boranup Forest near Margaret River. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued an emergency bushfire warning for Leeuwin- Naturaliste National Park, with those nearby urged to evacuate.
The ABC reports that Redgate Beach, as well as several caves, which are popular with tourists, have been closed including Mammoth, Lake, Giants and Calgardup.
Local campgrounds have also been evacuated, including Conto and Point Road campsites.
WA Parks and Wildlife district fire coordinator Ed Hatherley said more than 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze overnight.
“It’s certainly aggressive fire behaviour,” he told the ABC. “The water bomber drops are trying to help limit that fire spread so we can get in and contain it … it is very difficult for suppression because of the underground caves, so we can’t use traditional fire suppression techniques.”
The fire started near the intersection of Caves and Calgardup roads in Boranup.
Ben Tannock, from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, told the ABC that said the fire was burning on both sides of Caves Road, near tourist attractions in the national park.
“The fire is burning both sides of Caves Road north of Mammoth Cave and north of Lake Cave,” he said. “It’s in an area known for its cast formations and is a problematic area for us… in terms of putting in machinery to create containment lines.”
WA has everyone locked out, it should not be a large problem to such an efficient state that needs nothing from the east
What a sad response on such a an awful fire emergency situation that exists.