A bushfire emergency warning for communities in the shire of Nannup in Western Australia’s southwest has been downgraded to a watch and act alert, with residents told it could still pose a threat to lives and homes.
The Parks and Wildlife Service warning is in place for people in areas bounded by Cundinup-Kirup Road and Cundinup-Dudinyillup Road in the Maidment locality and Dudinyillup.
People have been advised to leave the area while routes are clear unless they are prepared to stay and defend their homes.
The fire was contained but not controlled following multiple ignitions and there was still “a possible threat to lives and homes,” the parks service said.
Bushfire advisories are also in place for surrounding districts in the Nannup shire.
Around 50 firefighters are battling the blaze and strengthening containment lines, with aerial support sent to assist ground crews.
The warnings have been issued as extreme or high fire danger ratings are in place for multiple weather districts across WA.
In late January, firefighters have found a man’s body in a vehicle while battling an out-of-control blaze in country Western Australia.
The blaze continues to burn west of the Great Northern Highway and has burned through about 800 hectares in the reserve
Arson Squad detectives and Department of Fire and Emergency Services fire investigators have travelled to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire.
The man’s role within the fire ground and the circumstances leading up to his death will form part of the investigation.
