Jurien Bay bushfire: Conditions set to ease as residents of Cervantes allowed back home

Jurien Bay residents remain on high alert as an out-of-control bushfire continues to threaten properties but residents in the nearby town of Cervantes have been given the all-clear to return home.

The raging inferno was sparked by lightning about 10am on Tuesday in Cervantes and has already burnt through 5000 hectares of land.

However, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services advised bushfire behaviour conditions are expected to ease overnight as 80 firefighters battle the blaze

On Wednesday, Cervantes residents, business owners and staff were given the all-clear to return from the south via Indian Ocean Drive.

Locals will be required to show valid identification upon entry.

No properties have been lost, but about 185 homes and businesses are still without power.

At least 50 power poles were damaged, with Western Power working tirelessly to restore power when the fire ground is safe.

Both evacuation centres in Jurien Bay and Lancelin have closed but a new one has opened in Badgingarra.

Jurien Bay District High School and Cervantes Primary School were closed on Wednesday as well as main roads in the area including parts of Indian Ocean Drive.

Cervantes Road east is closed between Indian Ocean Drive and 9.5km west of Munbinea Road, with the partially reopened section of road open to local traffic only.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services State Operations Superintendent Peter Norman said the fire was 80 per cent contained but could take days to extinguish.

“As the locals would know, it’s a very fast-running fire moving in a westerly direction towards the coast,” he said in Jurien Bay on Wednesday.

“It’s not over, we’ve 80 per cent contained this fire.

“There is not a lot of smoke on the horizon but we still need Jurien Bay residents up front and aware — especially in Jurien Bay Heights and Alta Mare.”

Supt. Norman said at the fire’s peak it was moving at a speedy rate of 5-6km/h, adding the situation still remains “very unpredictable” as the weather continues to change.

The only property damage currently reported from the blaze is to multiple power poles in the fire zone, with three emergency response generators installed to support the Cervantes townsite and another due to be installed this evening.

More than 30 residents stayed at the make-shift evacuation centre in Jurien Bay overnight, and more than 60 set up shop in Lancelin.

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