Wedge Island bushfire: Residents warned it is too late to leave as fire tears through evacuation routes

Residents in communities north of Perth have been warned that it is too late to leave as an out-of-control bushfire tears through evacuation routes in parts of Wedge Island, Grey, Cooljarloo and Nambung.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services escalated its bushfire emergency warning for residents in Wedge, extending inland to Indian Ocean Drive and north to Bibby Road including parts of Nambung National Park in Wedge Island, Grey, Cooljarloo, Nambung and Dandaragan about 8am on Thursday.

“It is too late to leave,” DFES said. “Fire has impacted evacuation routes and leaving now will put your life in danger.”

DFES has told residents to identify a room in their homes with running water and a clear exit where they could shelter.

“You must shelter before the fire arrives as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you,” it said.

“Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners but keep water running through the system if possible.

“Monitor both inside and outside of your home for fires and embers and turn on sprinkles if you have them.

“Of your home catches fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, go to an area that has already been burnt.

“If you are in immediate danger, call triple-0.”

Up to 200 firefighters are on the ground fighting the blaze.

DFES confirmed on Thursday that the bushfire had changed direction and was moving westerly towards Cervantes.

The fire — which has burnt through more than 42,800ha — was sparked by a fatal car crash in Mimegarra on Monday.

A bushfire emergency warning is also in place for people in parts of Nambung and Cervantes, with residents urged to evacuate north.

“If your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave now for a safer place,” DFES said.

“Leave in a northerly direction along Indian Ocean Drive direction towards Jurien Bay.”

An evacuation centre has been set up at Jurien Bay Sports and Recreation Centre.

A number of roads have been closed including Indian Ocean Drive between Ocean Place and Middleton Boulevard, Bibby Road, Wongonderrah Road, Meadows Road, Cervantes Road and Munbinea Road south of the Cervantes Road intersection.

A volunteer firefighter, who suffered serious burns while battling the blaze on Wednesday, remains in a stable condition.

St John WA was called to the northern suburb of Cataby to treat a male firefighter who had been on the ground around Wedge Island, Cooljarloo and Nambung just before 12pm.

The firefighter, aged in his 60s, was taken by ambulance to Gingin Oval.

He was admitted to Fiona Stanley Hospital’s burn unit after being airlifted from Gingin by the RAC Rescue helicopter.

On Thursday, a FSH spokesperson confirmed the firefighter was in a stable condition.

A second firefighter is also believed to have been burnt but did his injuries were minor.