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Bushfires close Bibbulmun Track
This notice concerns two bushfires - one south of Northcliffe, the other near Boddington.
A bushfire is burning south of Northcliffe and has impacted upon the Bibbulmun Track.
The Bibbulmun Track between Northcliffe and Walpole has been closed and will remain closed for a number of weeks. A diversion is being planned with at least one temporary campsite. Until this is in place walkers will not be able to walk this section.
The fire has reached Lake Maringup campsite and we are unsure at this stage if it has survived the fire. DEC put in a fire break around the campsite at the weekend.
The following areas are affected.
• Coastal area between the Gardner River and Broke Inlet
• Windy Harbour
• Northcliffe
• Shannon
• Broke Inlet area
• Properties south-east of Northcliffe
The bushfire breached northern containment lines on Sunday afternoon and the fire front is now 15 kilometres south east of Northcliffe. Fire crews are working to establish new containment lines tonight.
A number of roads remain closed including:
• Chesapeake Road between the Windy Harbour-Northcliffe Road and Broke Inlet
• Deeside Coast Road south of Nelson Road
• Gardner River Road
• Lower Gardner Road
• All other forest roads and tracks south of KTC, Dean and Nelson roads
Motorists should avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.
The fire is uncontained and erratic. Strong fire behaviour has caused several spot fires north of containment lines which crews are working to contain.
The outlook is for further south-easterly winds which will place pressure on the northern and western containment lines.
The fire has burnt through approximately 11,000ha with an estimated final containment area of 28,000 hectares.
Smoke is expected to drift northwards and inland during the evening. Smoke remains visible along the south coast and in lower great southern areas, including Denmark and Albany.
Smoke is affecting the Muir Highway, South Western Highway, Vasse Highway, Wheatley Coast Road and Pemberton-Northcliffe Road.
Approximately 60 personnel are working on the bushfire. The bushfire was started by lightning on Thursday February 8.
The Bibbulmun Track is closed between the Mount Wells and Chadoora campsites
A bushfire was burning in state forest 15km north-west of Boddington and west of the Boddington gold mine on Friday.
The fire is believed to have been caused by lightning.
The Bibbulmun Track is closed between the Mount Wells and Chadoora campsites. Walkers should not proceed past these campsites.
Whilst an All Clear has been issued the Track will remain closed until it is made safe.
If you are planning a walk on the Track please check conditions with the local DEC office and/or FESA website and the Bibbulmun Track Foundation. We do not advise walkers to go on the Track during the hot summer months.
Tags: bibbulmun, boddington, bushfire, northcliffe, track
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Permalink Reply by The Bibbulmun Track Foundation on -
Alert Summary: ALERT LEVEL: A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING remains in place for people west of the Gardner River in the area between Double Bridge Road and Summertime Track south of Northcliffe in the Shire of Manjimup. A bushfire WATCH AND ACT remains in place for people in the vicinity of Northcliffe, properties south of Boorara and Richardson roads and the settlement of Windy Harbour. A bushfire ADVICE remains in place for people in the following areas in the Shire of Manjimup: • The coastal area between the Gardner River and Broke Inlet • Shannon • Broke Inlet area • Properties east of Northcliffe
Content:
ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING remains in place for people west of the Gardner River in the area between Double Bridge Road and Summertime Track south of Northcliffe in the Shire of Manjimup.
Yesterday afternoon the fire escaped from control lines along the Lower Gardner Road and has burnt to Windy Harbour Road near Mt Chudalup.While the fire is still about 8km south of Northcliffe, southerly winds forecast for during the day today will threaten containment lines, increasing the risk of fire impact to properties in the area.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
Fire crews have been working throughout the night to establish containment lines and back-burn in preparation for an increase in fire activity as the temperature increases and winds strengthen today. There remains a significant risk that the fire will continue to breach containment lines
WHAT TO DO:
• If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.
• Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute is deadly.
• It is not safe to stay and actively defend. Your best chance for survival is to leave.
• If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.
RELOCATION ROUTES:
If you live in the area, leave via Windy Harbour Road towards Northcliffe.
RELOCATION POINTS:
Your safer place may be with family or friends who live away from the area. The Department of Child Protection and the Shire of Manjimup have set up a relocation centre at the Pemberton Sports Centre.ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire WATCH AND ACT remains in place for people in the vicinity of Northcliffe, properties south of Boorara and Richardson roads and the settlement of Windy Harbour.There is a possible threat to lives and property as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing. You need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
WHAT TO DO:
• Put your bushfire survival plan into action.
• If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
• If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your property make final preparations now.
• If you are planning on travelling to Windy Harbour do not proceed past Northcliffe until advised that it is safe to do so.
• If you are staying in Windy Harbour it is recommended that you remain there as the fire has burnt out to Windy Harbour Road.ALERT LEVEL:
A bushfire ADVICE remains in place for people in the following areas in the Shire of Manjimup:
• The coastal area between the Gardner River and Broke Inlet
• Shannon
• Broke Inlet area
• Properties east of NorthcliffeThere is no threat to lives or homes. Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date.
WHAT TO DO:
• Stay alert and monitor your surroundings.
• Watch for signs of a bushfire, especially smoke and flames.
• Read through your bushfire survival plan.
• If you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.ROAD CLOSURES:
A number of roads have been closed including:
• Windy Harbour Road, south of Chesapeake Road
• Chesapeake Road
• All other forest roads and tracks south of Northcliffe, and Log Road South (south of Preston, Boorara and Dean roads)
For further details contact DEC on 9776 1207.
Motorists should avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services
personnel working on site.RECREATION SITE CLOSURES:
Recreation sites have been closed in the D’Entrecasteaux and Boorara-Gardner national parks, east of Windy Harbour and west of Broke Inlet.BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR:
The bushfire has escaped containment lines and it is out of control and unpredictable.The fire has burnt through more than 26,000ha.
Firefighters are expecting the wind to change to a more southerly influence during the day today. This means homes south of Northcliffe may be impacted by the fire and you need to keep up to date.
SMOKE
Smoke from the bushfire will drift northwards and may affect visibility north and west of the fire along the west coast throughout today.
WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:
DEC crews are working to control and contain the fire on the western and northern boundaries.AGENCY RESPONSIBLE:
DEC is managing the fire.KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit www.dec.wa.gov.au, www.fesa.wa.gov.au, call 1300 657 209 or listen to news bulletins.
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Permalink Reply by The Bibbulmun Track Foundation on
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The Track remains closed from Northcliffe to Walpole 23/2/12
The Bibbulmun Track between Northcliffe and Walpole has been closed and will remain closed for a number of weeks. A diversion is being planned but will not be in place for some time yet. Until this is in place walkers will not be able to walk this section.
DEC advise that Lake Maringup campsite has been saved. Thanks to the DEC that put in a fire break around the campsite before the fire reached it. It certainly would have helped.
Our thanks go to all fire fighters who have spent countless hours and have put in an amazing effort in tackling this massive fire. An all clear has been issued.
A number of roads remain closed including:
• Chesapeake Road – between Broke Inlet and Windy Harbour Road
• Deeside Coast Road –between Nelson and Chesapeake roads
• Gardner River Road- south of Una Road
• Bannister Road – south of KTC Road
• Bulldania Road- south of Micks Track
• Laws Track
• All other forest roads and tracks within the fire ground.
For further details contact DEC on 9776 1207.
The Boorara Tree recreation site and Lane Poole Falls Walk Trail are open. Beach access from Windy Harbour to Gardner River is also open.
Recreation sites in the D’Entrecasteaux and Boorara-Gardner national parks, east of Windy Harbour and west of Broke Inlet remain closed, including:
• Bibbulmun Track and huts between Northcliffe and Walpole
• Coodamurrup and Fish Creek in D’Entrecasteaux National Park
• Tragedy Track
• Laws Track
• Mt Chudalup recreation site
Over the next week, DEC will continue to establish a diversion for the Bibbulmun Track around the fire.
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