The following alert has been issued by the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

This is a new alert

Time of issue: 01:39 PM
Date of issue: 17 March 2021

Bushfire ADVICE for Gnangara State Forest in PINJAR in CITY OF WANNEROO

ALERT LEVEL:

A bushfire ADVICE is in place for people travelling along Perry and Neaves Road in Gnangara State Forest in PINJAR in CITY OF WANNEROO.

• There is no threat to lives or homes.
• There is a lot of smoke in the area.
• Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.
• The fire started near the intersection of SKINK RD and BARDIE RD in PINJAR.

WHAT TO DO:

If driving

• Be extremely careful when driving through the area.
• Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
• Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
• If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.
• If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.

ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS:

Roads have not been closed.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully due to smoke.

Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by calling 138 138 or visiting travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au or by contacting the CITY OF WANNEROO.

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING:

• Firefighters are on the scene, actively fighting the fire.
• Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.

DRONES AND AERIAL SUPPORT:
Never fly a drone, model aircraft or multirotor near bushfires. Doing so poses a major safety risk to firefighting personnel in the air and on the ground, and forces aircraft to be grounded or redirected, hindering firefighting efforts.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

• The fire was reported at 12:54 PM on 17 March 2021.
• The cause of the fire is unknown.

KEEP UP TO DATE:

Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.

The next update to be provided by 11am tomorrow unless the situation changes.

END

The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

This is a new alert

Time of issue: 12:54 PM
Date of issue: 17 March 2021

Prepare for flooding in parts of the Kimberley districts.
People in North Kimberley Rivers catchments should prepare for possible minor flooding expected in the coming days.
There is no immediate danger but you need to keep up to date in case the situation changes.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises you to:

• Prepare to relocate equipment and livestock early so they are not caught in floodwaters.
• Prepare an emergency kit including enough canned food and water to last for four days, as well as clothing, important documents and medication.
• Fill your vehicle's fuel tank.
• Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to evacuate
• Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters, as they are dangerous.
• Stay out of rivers, this includes no swimming or kayaking.
• Do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.

• Be careful at crossings and floodways as river levels may rise rapidly.
• Obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Take care on gravel and unsealed roads as they may be slippery and muddy, and you could get bogged.
• Carry extra food and water when travelling in case of long delays at crossings.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Roads have been closed including:

• Gibb River Road between Meda Station turnoff to Pentecost River.

FLOOD DETAILS:

As at 17/03/2021 10:59:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advises a low pressure trough, extending from the Kimberley to waters north of WA, is expected to bring showers and thunderstorms to the North Kimberley Rivers catchments over the next several days.Catchments are very wet due to late wet season conditions and heavy rainfall of50 - 150 mm recorded over the region in the past week.Over the next two days, daily rainfall totals of 10 - 50 mm are expected with isolated daily totals to 120 mm possible. Rainfall is expected to intensify from Friday into Saturday, with daily totals of 20 - 80 mm expected and isolated daily totals of up to 150 mm possible. Rainfall is expected to be highest in the western parts of the flood watch area, near the coast.Flooding of low lying areas and river rises are expected. Many roads, and possibly secondary highways, may be affected. Some communities and homesteads may become isolated. Check road conditions before travelling.

Current river levels are available from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website
For the latest flood information visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood or call 1300 659 213.

WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:

• DFES is monitoring the situation.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

• For SES assistance call 132 500.
• In a life threatening situation call 000.
• For the latest flood information call 1300 659 213 or visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood.


KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.

Updates will be provided when the situation changes.


END

The following alert has been issued by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Please note changes to Flood Details and Alert Level

Time of issue: 12:11 PM
Date of issue: 17 March 2021

Take action now for minor flooding in parts of the Kimberley districts.
People in West Kimberley Rivers catchments need to take action now as minor flooding is expected over the coming days.

Water will be fast flowing and levels will rise quickly.

WHAT TO DO:
DFES advises you to:

• Watch for changes in water levels so you are ready if you need to evacuate.
• Pack a relocation kit together with your emergency kit.
• Relocate equipment and livestock so they do not get caught in floodwaters.
• Prepare pet food or stockfeed in case you cannot return home for a few days.
• Never walk, swim or play in floodwaters as they are dangerous.
• Do not go near storm drains and pipes, ditches and ravines, as they are dangerous.
• Stay out of rivers, this includes no swimming or kayaking.
• If you are a traveller do not park or camp adjacent to rivers.

• Floodways and river levels may rise rapidly so be careful at crossings.
• Obey road closure signs and do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Take care on gravel and unsealed roads as they may be slippery and muddy, and you could get bogged.
• If your car stalls in rising water, abandon it immediately and seek shelter above floodwater.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Below roads are closed:

• Gibb River Rd from Meda T/O to Mt Barnett 
• Gibb River Rd from Mt Barnett to Pentecost River

FLOOD DETAILS:

As at 16/03/2021 11:15:00 the Bureau of Meteorology advises A low pressure trough, extending from the Kimberley to waters north of WA to the far west Pilbara coast, is bringing showers and thunderstorms to the West Kimberley district.In the 24 hours to 9:00 am Wednesday, rainfall totals of around 15 - 40 mm have been recorded in the district with an isolated total of 97 mm recorded at Windjana Gorge.The trough is expected to persist in the region for the next several days resulted in continued rainfall in the West Kimberley district. Daily rainfall totals ranging from 10 - 80 mm are expected over the next several days, with isolated daily totals to 150 mm possible. Rainfall is expected to be highest in the northern parts of the district near the coast.

Current river levels are available from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation website
For the latest flood information visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood or call 1300 659 213.

WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING:

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

• For SES assistance call 132 500.
• In a life threatening situation call 000.
• For the latest flood information call 1300 659 213 or visit www.bom.gov.au/wa/flood.

KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit emergency.wa.gov.au, call 13 DFES (13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter: twitter.com/dfes_wa, Facebook: facebook.com/dfeswa, listen to ABC Local Radio, 6PR, or news bulletins.

During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.

Updates will be issued if further information becomes available.

END