Bushfires that ripped through renowned Australian wine region forcing residents to run for their lives was ‘deliberately lit’
- Huge bushfire in Western Australia’s south-west was deliberately lit, cops say
- The blaze being fought by hundreds of firefighters, local residents evacuated
- Possibly ignited near Mammoth Cave, adjacent Boranup, Forest Grove suburbs
A major bushfire in Western Australia’s Margaret River region that has forced residents to evacuate was deliberately lit, police believe.
The blaze in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park has ripped through almost 5500 hectares since Wednesday.
Based on an initial assessment of the scene, police say they believe someone deliberately lit the fire.
A major bushfire in Western Australia’s Margaret River region that has forced residents to evacuate was deliberately lit, police believe
Based on an initial assessment of the scene, WA police say they believe someone deliberately lit the fire
They believe it may have been ignited near Mammoth Cave, which is accessed via Caves Rd near the border of Boranup and Forest Grove.
Detectives are calling for potential witnesses or anyone with footage of people or cars in the area on Wednesday to come forward.
On Saturday morning an evacuation warning was reactivated for people in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.
Detectives are calling for potential witnesses or anyone with footage of people or cars in the area on Wednesday to come forward
The warning area takes in an area bound by Mammoth Cave Rd to the north, Caves Rd and the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park boundary to the east, Grace Rd and Bridle Trail to the south and the coast to the west in the shire of Augusta-Margaret River.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said 75 firefighters are on the scene strengthening containment lines and mopping up.
Residents were also urged to leave on Thursday as more than 150 firefighters battled to strengthen containment lines in hot and windy weather.
Firefighters had made good progress on Friday but the blaze remained uncontained.
‘We’ve made some very good progress overnight,’ incident controller Brad Barton told Perth radio 6PR on Friday.
‘It is slightly cooler than yesterday down here in Margaret River.
‘Our priorities are to build on our containment strategies along these eastern boundaries, to tie the fire into the national park and prevent further impact out into the private property areas.’
On Saturday morning, conditions worsened.
Residents were told around 8.30am local time on Saturday they were in danger, needed to act immediately and that there was a threat to lives and homes.
Residents were also urged to leave on Thursday as more than 150 firefighters battled to strengthen containment lines in hot and windy weather
If unable to leave safely, they were instructed to get ready to shelter in their homes by going to a room away from the fire front and making sure they could easily escape.
An evacuation centre remains open in Margaret River.
WA Premier Mark McGowan has been urging residents to follow official updates on the blaze.
The bushfire started near the intersection of Caves Road and Calgarup Road in Boranup, almost 300km south of Perth.