Firefighters gain upper hand on Peel region bushfires

Saturday, 4 November 2023 08:35

By Monique Welhan

Two bushfires in Barragup and North Dandalup have been downgraded as firefighters worked through the night battling the ferocious blazes.

The Barragup fire reached an emergency warning on Saturday with residents urged to evacuate their properties.

The blaze also forced the closure of part of the Kwinana Freeway, which has since reopened.

A watch and act alert is currently in place for people west of Kwinana Freeway to Peaceful Waters Drive and Hougham Road and north of Tranquil Retreat in parts of Barragup, Nambeelup and Stake Hill.

There is still a possible to threat to lives and homes as conditions remain unpredictable.

The fire has burnt through 270 hectares of land.

The Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre has now closed to evacuees.

A bushfire that also threatened lives and homes in North Dandalup has also been downgraded to a watch and act.

It is now contained but not under control with authorities warning residents to stay alert.

About 80 hectares of land has been burnt.

A third bushfire remains at an emergency warning in Serpentine.

The bushfire started near the Serpentine Dam on Saturday with 970 hectares currently been burnt.

People in an area bounded by Scarp Road to Day Road and east to Ronan Road are in danger and are being urged to leave their properties for a safer place.

Evacuation centres remain open at the Murray Aquatic Centre in Pinjarra and the Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Recreation Centre in Byford.

The bushfires were all sparked by lightning.

For more information head to the Emergency WA website.