National

Bushfires ease but residents not cleared to return yet

By AAP Newswire

Nov 30, 2024

Backburning at Cervantes, about 180 km north of Perth — WA authorities downgraded the bushfire threat at Cervantes, but warned of unpredictable conditions. -PR Handout Image

Bushfires continue to threaten parts of the WA coastline, where locals are being advised to monitor conditions, while others are warned against returning.

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Conditions have eased in the Shire of Dandaragan, about 200 kilometres north of Perth, after a fire sparked by a fatal car crash burned through more than 70,000 hectares.

But residents who evacuated from fishing shack villages at Grey and Wedge Island have been warned not to return due to a possible threat to lives and homes.

Those who remained have been advised to continue monitoring conditions.

The fire at Cervantes in the shire's south has been downgraded to a watch and act level.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services superintendent Damien Pumphrey urged residents to continue monitoring conditions and emergency alerts at a community briefing on Friday night.

"(Saturday's) weather and the days following, really unpredictable, not great weather and that situation may change, and the warning level may go back up," he said.

More than 200 firefighters are battling the blaze, assisted by large air tankers which joined the fight on Thursday.

Parts of Indian Ocean Drive and multiple surrounding roads in the area remain closed.

An evacuation centre at Jurien Bay Sports and Recreation Centre has reopened, while Nambung National Park remains closed.