Wind kicks Bullsbrook bushfire to emergency

UPDATE 5PM The bushfire that has been burning for two days has broken containment lines on Seismic Road in the City of Swan.

More than 300 career and volunteer firefighters, as well as State Emergency Service personnel are on the scene.

At 2pm the blaze was elevated to an emergency after the wind changed, putting homes and lives at risk. Residents are in danger and must act immediately. There is a threat to lives and homes.

The fire started between Railway Road and Gully Road and has crossed Old Yanchep Road. It is burning towards Chittering.

The warning is for residents near the following roads:
• Asher Road
• Della North Road
• Gallagher Road
• Old West Road
• Pine Road
• Bingham Road
• Kirby Road
• Gaston Road
• Morely Road
• West Road
• Strachan Road
• Seismic Road
• Wandoo Road south of Mallee Road
• Mallee Road
• Higgins Road

The alert level for this area remains as the fire has broken containment lines near Seismic Road.

Firefighters are currently strengthening containment lines to protect properties near Seismic Road.

The fire started between Railway Road and Gully Road. It is burning towards Chittering.

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The bushfire is currently moving slowly in a northerly direction.

It is out of control and unpredictable.

Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.

Firefighters are expecting the wind to shift to a south westerly.

This means the fire will move in a north easterly direction towards Muchea.

It is safest to leave in a southern direction on Great Northern Highway.

Western Power has advised that the blaze has affected the electricity supply for approximately 150 customers in the City of Swan and City of Wanneroo.

The most affected areas are Bullsbrook, Pinjar and Neerabup.

Community meeting: Residents wait for information from authorities about the state of the fire and their properties at a community meeting at Quinns Rocks this morning. Picture: Sharon Smith/The West Australian

The wind is expected to change this afternoon and should keep part of the fire critical for the rest of the day.

Satellite image of the northern suburbs fire. Picture: NASA

About 120 power poles have been damaged and are being assessed by Western Power. Gas and water have not been affected.

Two derelict properties and some sheds have been damaged.

There have been no deaths or reports of missing people.

Seven News social media reports that one police officer was treated for smoke inhalation and a firefighter had been treated for a burn to the back of the neck.

Arson squad detectives attached to Strike Force Vulcan are investigating the cause of the blaze.

"At this point in time there is nothing to suggest this fire was deliberately lit," a police spokesman said.

"A number of potential scenarios and causes are being investigated."

Arson Squad detectives would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Railway Parade about 9am yesterday morning.

This morning firefighters strengthened containment lines around the bushfire in readiness for a wind change this afternoon.

That wind changed before 2pm, kicking the bushfire back up to an emergency.

Taskforces from throughout the State have been sent to help crews in the metropolitan area, including from the South-West, Lower South-West, Midwest Gascoyne, and Goldfields-Midlands.

Aerial support are assisting ground crews.

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The fire was reported at 9.23am yesterday. It started between Railway Road and Gully Road and n=crossed Old Yanchep Road.

It jumped containment lines several times yesterday afternoon, eventually spreading into the Gnangara pine plantation.

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.
• There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
• If your plan is to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
• If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
• If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.

A Bullsbrook resident is confronted by a wall of fire on Saturday. Picture: Liam Croy

SAFER PLACE

• Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
• An evacuation centre has been set up at Gumblossom Community Centre on Tapping Way, Quinns Rock. The evacuation centre that was at Wanneroo Recreation Centre has now been closed.

Residents defend their homes as the fire rips through. Picture: Liam Croy

ROAD CLOSURES

Avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.

A number of roads have been closed including:
Neaves Road from Old Yanchep Road to Railway Parade
Wanneroo Road between Old Yanchep Road and Flynn Drive
Flynn Drive, Nowergup Road and Karoborup Road are also closed

A resident is engulfed in smoke as he fights to save his property. Picture: Liam Croy.

A bushfire watch and act remains for people in parts of Bullsbrook and surrounding areas in the City of Swan, City of Wanneroo and Shire of Chittering.

A Watch and Act remains for people in an area bounded by Wanneroo Road, Clover Road, Airfield Drive, Brand Highway, Great Northern Highway, Stock Road, Cooper Road, Neaves Road and Joondalup Drive, in the City of Swan, City of Wanneroo and Shire of Chittering.

A bushfire advice has been issued for people in suburban areas west of Wanneroo Road, between Yanchep Beach Road and Burns Beach Road, in the City of Joondalup and City of Wanneroo.