Firefighters put to test as blazes destroy property, force evacuations in Morangup, Waggrakine, Moresby

Firefighters have been put to the test with the first major bushfires of the season, with intense blazes erupting across the State, forcing residents to evacuate and destroying property.

Fanned by hot temperatures and winds, sheds and a vehicle at a property in Morangup, south west of Toodyay, were reduced to charred twisted metal after they were engulfed by flames about 2pm on Sunday.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Danny Mosconi said a dozen firefighters were called in to battle the blaze with aerial support, which helped halt the spread of the fire by 3.45pm.

“Structural damage is contained to one property, including a shed being used as a residence, nine small sheds ranging from 1x1 to 3x3m in size, a car and a water tank,” Mr Mosconi said.

Meantime, people living in parts Waggrakine and Moresby, near Geraldton, have been told homes are currently under threat by fire and that it is too late to leave.

Residents bounded by North West Coastal Highway, Mary Street, Collins Road, Sutcliffe Road and Nerrel Street have been told they are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.

“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes,” DFES warned.

“Homes in the warning area are under threat by fire now.

“It is too late to leave. Fire has impacted evacuation routes and leaving now will put your life in danger.”

An evacuation centre has been set-up at the QEII Seniors and Community Centre at 88 Durlacher Street in Geraldton.

The fire was reported at 10.30am and is moving fast in a northerly direction. More than 5500 homes are without power in suburbs including Spalding, Bluff Point and Woorree.

Another blaze is burning in Cullalla and Mooliabeenee in the Shire of Chittering.

DFES did issue an emergency warning but it has since been downgraded to a watch and act level. People in the area bounded by Cook Road, Cullalla Road, Barn Road and Bindoon Moora Road have been told to stay alert.

The fire was reported at 11.10am.

Speaking in Gingin, DFES incident controller Phil Hay said when crews first arrived the blaze was rapidly escalating with flames up to 3m high and was moving at 1.5km/h.

“So it was very challenging for our crews,” he said.

“They were very aggressive in their initial attack. They were able to protect some properties.”

Mr Hay said a number of homes were directly in the line of fire but only minor damage was reported to a donga.

He said what was initially a small fire turned into 100ha in just over an hour — with it contained at 196ha three hours later.

“We don’t know the cause at this stage, that’s undetermined at this point,” he said.

“They faced a very fast moving fire pushed by strong easterly winds, high temperatures, low humidity. As you can see we’ve had a mild start to summer but things are starting to change.

“We are looking at potential total fire bans tomorrow with a weather system that is moving down the coast.”

Firefighters are bracing for even worse conditions on Monday, with the mercury set to reach 37C in Perth.

Mr Hay urged community members not to be complacent with a “long summer” ahead.

“We’ve had a very mild start to summer and we ask the community not to be complacent,” he said.

“You can see by this area alone, the amount of grass growth that’s in this area. That was a contributing factor to today’s fire spread, so the community has really got to make sure they have their bushfire plans in place and be aware of their surroundings.”