Crossman bushfire: Albany Highway reopened as threat reduced for massive Wheatbelt and Peel bushfires

Albany Highway has been reopened to traffic after more than 5000ha has been burnt across a series of fires that started in the Wheatbelt and Peel regions on Thursday.

The closure of Albany Highway between Jarrahdale Road and the Williams townsite, meant motorists had to find alternative routes to reach parts of the Wheatbelt and the Great Southern over the past few days.

At about 10pm on Saturday, the road was reopened in both directions but speed restrictions remain in place and Main Roads WA said all motorists should exercise extreme caution in the area.

More than 150 firefighters have battled several out-of-control bushfires in the Wheatbelt region, with several alerts still in place.

On Sunday the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said that the blazes are contained but not yet controlled.

Several bushfires within the shires of Boddington, Wandering and Williams — all ignited by dry lightning at about noon on Thursday — triggered emergency warnings in the area.

The flames have burnt about 5000ha collectively according to DFES.

In an update on Sunday, firefighters are still actively fighting the fire with aerial support along with assistance from firefighters from Newmont Mine and South32 Emergency Response teams.

Local government, Main Roads and WA Police are on scene to support along with State Emergency Services.

About 20 people from a DFES incident management team are coordinating and supporting the response.

Crossman-Dwarda Road is still closed.

Firefighters stayed overnight on Thursday and more than 150 volunteer crews are still on scene actively fighting the fire, which is moving in a north-easterly direction.

Twelve aerial support crews and four black hawk helicopters were sent to aid ground efforts.

There is still three watch and act level alerts in place and several other advice warnings.

There is still a possible threat to lives and homes on Albany Highway, Crossman Dwarda Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road and Wilkie Road, in parts of Wandering, Codjatonie, Pumphreys Bridge, Dwarda, Crossman and Williams.

A bushfire watch and act is in place for people in an area bounded by east of the Boddington Gold Mine, north and west of Bannister-Marradong Road, west of Albany Highway and south of Youraling State Forest in parts of Bannister.

The third area still under threat is people bounded by Albany Highway, south of Bannister Road and south of Bannister Hill in Bannister and North Bannister.

On Friday morning, a DFES spokesperson said there has been no confirmed reports of homes or structures lost or damaged as crews have not been able to access areas and assess.

An evacuation centre was opened at the Narrogin Leisure Centre.

The evacuation notice was first issued at 1.19pm on Thursday for those travelling on Albany Highway between Crossman Road and Wilkie Road, before being extended at 2pm, and then again at about 3.30pm to include the area bounded by Fuller Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road, Lyons Road and Albany Highway in Crossman, Dwarda and Williams in the Shire of Boddington.

Ronnie Delizo Atienza was with her family on the way to Boddington via Albany Highway when the fire forced them to turn around at about 1pm.

“We were quite worried when we saw the smoke covering the road so everyone decided to pull over and turn back,” she said.

“The firetrucks arrived in just a few minutes.

“We also saw one of the residents evacuating the area as the bushfire was near their residence.

“At first, we weren’t sure which alternative route to take, then bystanders were helping direct some of the cars to Boddington.”

Western Power had advised power supply to about 620 homes and businesses in Wandering, Williams, Boddington and Codjatotine had been affected by the bushfire initially.

On Sunday that number was back to 56 homes and businesses in Wandering, Williams and Dwarda.

Bushfire Watch and Act - AVOID THE AREA - WANDERING, CODJATOTINE, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DWARDA, CROSSMAN and WILLIAMS

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, Crossman Dwarda Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road and Wilkie Road, in parts of WANDERING, CODJATOTINE, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DWARDA, CROSSMAN and WILLIAMS in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON, SHIRE OF WANDERING and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

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

WHAT TO DO

• Continue to stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Be aware of other potential dangers such as falling trees and damaged properties and infrastructure.
• Close all doors and windows and stay inside if smoke is causing you concern.
• Be ready if the situation escalates. Read through your plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.

Bushfire Watch and Act - AVOID THE AREA - BANNISTER

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people in an area bounded by east of the Boddington Gold Mine, north and west of Bannister-Marradong Road, west of Albany Highway and south of Youraling State Forest in parts of BANNISTER in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.

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

WHAT TO DO

• If you have remained in the area, stay alert and monitor your surroundings as conditions could change.
• If you are actively defending your property, continue to patrol and put out spot fires.
• Keep doors and windows closed, and evaporative air conditioners turned off with water running through the system if possible.
• Be patient and follow the directions of emergency services.
• If you are driving note speed restrictions on Albany Highway.

Bushfire Watch and Act - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BANNISTER and NORTH BANNISTER

A Bushfire Watch and Act is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, south of Bannister Road and south of Bannister Hill in BANNISTER and NORTH BANNISTER in the SHIRE OF WANDERING.

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

WHAT TO DO

• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings as conditions could change.
• You may need to act quickly so ensure you are prepared if the situation gets worse.
• Read through your plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.
• Have your emergency kit ready.

Bushfire Advice - RETURN WITH CAUTION - CROSSMAN, DWARDA and WANDERING

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by east of Albany Highway, Fuller Road, Crossman Dwarda Road and Fourteen Mile Brook Road in CROSSMAN, DWARDA and WANDERING in The SHIRE OF WANDERING and SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.

Bushfire Advice - AVOID THE AREA - BANNISTER, DWARDA, NORTH BANNISTER, SPRINGS and WANDERING

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, N Bannister-Wandering Road, Moramockining Road and Fuller Road in BANNISTER, DWARDA, NORTH BANNISTER, SPRINGS and WANDERING in the SHIRE OF WANDERING.

Bushfire Advice - AVOID THE AREA - BANNISTER and MOUNT WELLS

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by an area west of Albany Highway, including the Boddington Gold Mine, and an area north of it in parts of BANNISTER and MOUNT WELLS in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON and SHIRE OF WANDERING.

Bushfire Advice - AVOID THE AREA - BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, MARRADONG and WURAMING

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people in the area north of Pinjarra Williams Road and west of Bannister Marradong Road, including the Boddington townsite and eastern parts of the Boddington Gold Mine in parts of BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, MARRADONG and WURAMING in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.

The following information applies only to people within the above Bushfire Advice area:

• There is limited fire activity currently. Crews continue to patrol the area and extinguish hotspots.

• It is contained and under control.

• Currently there has been 4,149 hectares burnt.

Firefighters are still working to make the fireground safe. For the safety of community members and firefighters, please adhere to speed restrictions.

A number of roads remain restricted including:

• Palmers Road between Farmers Avenue and Old Soldiers Road
• Old Soldiers Road between Gold Mine Road and Palmers Avenue

Bushfire Advice - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, CROSSMAN and RANFORD

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Albany Highway, Bannister Marradong Road, Chalk Brook Road and Crossman Road in parts of BANNISTER, BODDINGTON, CROSSMAN and RANFORD in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON.

Bushfire Advice - MONITOR CONDITIONS - BODDINGTON, MARRADONG and WILLIAMS

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Newmarket Road, Tyler Road, Albany Highway and south of Crossman Road in BODDINGTON, CROSSMAN, MARRADONG and WILLIAMS in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

Bushfire Advice - THREAT IS REDUCED - BANNISTER, CODJATOTINE, DRYANDRA, DWARDA, HASTINGS, LOL GRAY, NORTH BANNISTER, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, SPRINGS, WANDERING, WEST POPANYINNING and WILLIAMS

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Ricks Road, North Wandering Road, York-Williams Road, Wandering Narrogin Road directly across to Turner Road, Fourteen Mile Brook Road across to Patonga Road, York-Williams Road, Carabin Road, Noombling-Norrine Road, Wandering-Pingelly Road, North Bannister Wandering Road in parts of WILLIAMS, PUMPHREYS BRIDGE, DRYANDRA, CODJATOTINE, LOL GRAY, HASTINGS, SPRINGS and WANDERING in the SHIRE OF CUBALLING, SHIRE OF WANDERING and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

• The alert level for this fire has been downgraded as fire behaviour has changed.

Bushfire Advice - THREAT IS REDUCED - MARRADONG, WILLIAMS and CONTINE

A Bushfire Advice is in place for people bounded by Tyler Road, Wilkie Road, directly across to Fourteen Mile Brook Road, York-Williams Road, Patonga Road, across to Fourteen Mile Brook Road, directly across to Congelin-Narrogin Road, and a point directly from the intersection of Congelin-Narrogin Road and York-Williams Road to the intersection of Marradong Road, Albany Highway and Lucev Road in parts of MARRADONG, WILLIAMS and CONTINE in the SHIRE OF BODDINGTON, SHIRE OF CUBALLING and SHIRE OF WILLIAMS.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.

WHAT TO DO

• Continue to stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Be aware of other potential dangers such as falling trees and damaged properties and infrastructure.
• Close all doors and windows and stay inside if smoke is causing you concern.
• Be ready if the situation escalates. Read through your plan. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.

IF DRIVING

• Turn your headlights on and drive slowly. Take notice of speed restrictions on Albany Highway.
• Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
• If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.
• If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.