Major Bushfires Force Highway Closures Across Southern WA
Hundreds of firefighters are working through the night to combat four major bushfires threatening communities across southern Western Australia, with emergency warnings remaining in place and key highways closed to traffic.
The fires, burning near Boddington, Williams, Bremer Bay, the Fitzgerald River National Park and Lake King, continue to pose significant risks to lives and property across the South West and Great Southern regions.
Highway Closures and Emergency Response
Albany Highway has been closed between Jarrahdale and Williams due to the Boddington fire, while South Coast Highway remains shut between Jerramungup and Ravensthorpe because of the Fitzgerald River fire. Emergency warnings are active for both the Boddington and Fitzgerald-Bremer Bay fires, with six additional watch and act warnings in place.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is coordinating the largest firefighting operation in the national park, where incident controller Stefan DeHaan described challenging conditions ahead.
"It's been a big day and there's still a fair bit ahead of us," Mr DeHaan said. "It's likely a long night ahead for the guys and girls on the fire line."
Weather Conditions Complicate Firefighting Efforts
A weather trough passing through the region has brought gusty winds that rapidly change direction, creating additional challenges for firefighting crews. Wind speeds are expected to reach 40-60 kilometres per hour, with low humidity levels exacerbating fire conditions.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Great Southern Superintendent Diarmuid Kinsella warned that any new ignitions would burn intensely under these conditions.
"Anything that does ignite in the landscape, it's going to burn pretty hard and make conditions pretty challenging," he said.
Community Impact and Response
Williams Shire President Jarrad Logie reported approximately 14 fires in his shire alone, all attributed to lightning strikes from earlier storms. The fires are burning through diverse terrain including bushland, river systems, and harvested agricultural areas.
Motorist Rhea Atienza, travelling from Perth to Albany, witnessed the scale of the Williams fire firsthand. "It was quite big, because we saw the road being covered by smoke," she said, noting that alternative routes were available.
City of Albany chief bushfire control officer Rob Lynn emphasised the importance of adhering to fire bans, warning of serious consequences for violations during extreme fire danger conditions.
Firefighting crews have been reinforced with personnel from surrounding communities and Perth to manage the multiple active fires across the region.
Residents are advised to monitor Emergency WA, contact DFES on 133 337, or listen to ABC Local Radio for the latest emergency information and warnings.