Campers at WA’s Fitzgerald River National Park have been told to evacuate after two bushfires broke out there.
Perth Now reports that a bushfire watch and act alert is in place for people within the vicinity of the eastern side of the national park after a blaze, which was apparently caused by lightning, ignited yesterday morning.
A second fire broke out four hours later prompting the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to warn people in the area about a possible threat to lives and homes.
The park, which is located near Hopetoun about 460 kilometres south-east of Perth, is hugely popular with grey nomads.
Bushfires can pose significant risk to campers in remote areas. PIC: Vladyslav Dukhin / Pexels
Campers within the Hamersley Campground are asked to leave along Hamersley Inlet Drive towards Hopetoun. Hamersley Drive, West River Road and Moir Track are all closed at the boundary to Fitzgerald River National Park.
Perth Now reports that a bushfire advice alert has also been issued for people travelling along the South Coast Highway north of the national park and to the east of Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Road.
The fire started north of Hamersley Drive and west of Eyre Range and is moving fast in a north-easterly direction. Some 900 hectares of forest had already been burnt by yesterday afternoon.
The Department of Biodiversity and Conservation and Attractions is managing the blaze with about 30 Parks and Wildlife Service firefighters on the scene attempting to extinguish both fires. Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews. However, a large air tanker crashed while tackling the blaze yesterday. Fortunately, two pilots were able to walk away with only minor injuries after the incident.
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