Cervantes bushfire: Residents told to evacuate as raging bushfire threatens lives and homes

A bushfire north of Perth is threatening lives and homes, with residents told to evacuate now before it is too late.

The warning has been issued to residents living in the area of Cervantes, bounded by Lindsay Street, Thirsty Point Lookout and Southern Beekeepers Nature Reserve in the Shire of Dandaragan, who are under threat after a fire sparked about 10am.

Jurien Bay and Nambung are also under alert as the blaze escalates.

Two evacuation centres have been set up at Jurien Bay Sport and Recreation Centre and the Lancelin Sport and Recreation Centre for residents needing to flee their homes.

Those evacuating Marine Fields Estate are told to leave in a northerly direction towards Jurien Bay on Indian Ocean Drive and to bring with them any essential items such as medications and identification.

People south of the Cervantes Road and Indian Ocean Drive intersection need to leave in a southerly direction towards Lancelin on Indian Ocean Drive.

As at 5pm, Western Power advised a power outage was affecting about 650 homes and businesses in the area.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the fire was growing “reasonably rapidly” and residents needed to act quickly to survive.

“The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as fire behaviour is escalating,” he said.

“There is a threat to lives and homes. If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.”

Several roads have been closed including Indian Ocean Drive between Meadows Rd, Mimegarra to Middleton Blvd and the intersection of Middleton Boulevard.

Munbinea at the intersection of Cervantes Road East is also closed.

The fire, which is not contained and is out of control, is burning east of Cervantes, moving in a north-westerly direction.

More than 50 firefighters are battling the blaze, managed by DFES, with several aerial support crews inbound.

Shire of Dandaragan president Leslee Holmes said it was a “horrible” and “awful” start to the festive and summer season.

“It’s a terrible situation, very dangerous and awful to see it happen so early in the season, we’ve had strange weather and high winds which we haven’t seen anything like that since the 80s,” she said.

“Cervantes is in a precarious situation where there’s only got one road in and out and that makes it pretty difficult...we’re just hoping the wind dies down, praying it moves along and away from houses.

Ms Holmes said the area where the fire was burning included hobby farming properties.

Cervantes resident Leo Bulacio captured billowing black smoke from the townsite as he drove to Lancelin, 100km south, after being told to evacuate “as soon as possible”.

“They told us we must evacuate as soon as possible, the problem was that the route to Jurien Bay is closed,” he said.

“We are headed towards Lancelin.”

Another resident, Allison Carnegie-Smith, said she chose to stay unlike most who deserted the town.

“The town is very quiet, those who chose to stay, we evacuated to the beach and jetty...everyone was very on edge, it’s very concerning,” she said.

“Some of our community members we know and love are out there fighting on the ground and that’s hard.”

It is too early to determine the cause of the fire or how long it will take crews to battle the blaze.

Gusty winds of up to 40km/h are impacting the area, with Jurien Bay sweltering in 35C heat.

Residents are asked to leave while it is safe to do so.

If you find yourself caught in the fire, you should close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners.

“Go to a room in your home away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape,” DFES said in a statement.

“Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.

“If you are not at home, it’s too dangerous to return.”

Motorists are told to drive with extreme caution and avoid the area.

The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council this month advised drier parts of southern Western Australia to prepare for “above normal fire potential” this summer.