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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: rossm on December 31, 2019, 10:37:22 AM

Title: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on December 31, 2019, 10:37:22 AM
It’s nowhere near the scale of the eastern states fires so little or no media coverage but WA has basically been cut off  from the eastern   states by road since before Christmas by fires around Norseman.

The Coolgardie- Norseman has barely been open. Eyre Highway Traffic was held up at Balladonia for a few days until the Norseman-Esperance road could reopen. But that is now restricted again and traffic has been  held at Caiguna.

As I say, a minor irritation compared to elsewhere.

Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Bird on December 31, 2019, 12:00:47 PM
Quote from: rossm
As I say, a minor irritation compared to elsewhere.
Still not good though Ross... Plenty of people affected by it.
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Gazza00 on January 02, 2020, 01:43:59 PM
Long drive to WA     looks like the Gt Central Hwy or across the top is the only way in atm

From WA Emergency Services and Main Roads :

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

A Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating (FDR) is in place for today with very hot, dry and windy conditions expected. Due to current fires and fresh ignitions, accompanied by erratic fire behaviour, unstable fire weather conditions continue to force the Eyre Highway to be closed for a minimum of 5 days. People are asked to avoid the area, ensure they have enough food and water supplies and refer to Main Roads Travel Map to plan an alternate route. People are urged to stop taking back tracks and unsealed roads in an endeavour to avoid the road closures.

A number of roads have been closed including:

    Coolgardie-Esperance Highway between the Norseman townsite and Gibson Dalyup Road, Gibson.

    Coolgardie-Esperance Highway between Coolgardie and Norseman, including the Goldfields Highway (Kambalda turn-off), remains closed for the immediate future as it has been impacted by fire. Travellers should seek alternate routes.

    Eyre Highway between the Norseman townsite and Caiguna is closed due to the impact of fire and smoke across the road.If you are at Caiguna your best option is to return east and seek alternative travel and accommodation arrangements.

Eyre Hwy between Norseman townsite and Caiguna
Traffic Impact
DFES has advised that Eyre Highway will be closed for a minimum of 5 days. WA Police urge people to stop taking backtracks and unsealed roads to try and avoid road closures which are in place due to the current fire emergency. The Trans Access Road is closed to all traffic due to bushfires.

   Hyden - Norseman Road.
   Lake King-Norseman Road.
   Peak Charles Road.
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Gazza00 on January 02, 2020, 02:03:22 PM

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-01/road-closures-cause-nullarbor-travel-chaos/11836476 (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-01/road-closures-cause-nullarbor-travel-chaos/11836476)
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Hoyks on January 02, 2020, 04:15:06 PM
The Mother in law is heading back to the west in a couple of days. It should be an interesting trip.

She is allowing 3 weeks from Brisbane to Perth, so hopefully its run out of stuff to burn by then, or better still, all rained out.
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 02, 2020, 04:36:33 PM
Long drive to WA     looks like the Gt Central Hwy or across the top is the only way in atm





Weekend forecast for Warburton is up to 20mm of rain. Similar at Docker River. No place to be when it rains. 
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Poita on January 02, 2020, 11:19:28 PM
We are stuck at Perth right now. Which is fine, but being casual and supposed to be back at work soon, the funds are going to be tight.
Shouldn't complain as lots of people have lost everything, but are going it opens soon.
Really wish people would stop trying to get across though, the towns on the route are really struggling with supplies as it is.
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Bird on January 03, 2020, 07:36:49 AM
We are stuck at Perth right now. Which is fine, but being casual and supposed to be back at work soon, the funds are going to be tight.
Shouldn't complain as lots of people have lost everything, but are going it opens soon.
Really wish people would stop trying to get across though, the towns on the route are really struggling with supplies as it is.
It wouldnt be a nice drive from Perth back to Adelaide today or tomorrow weather wise either.. Imagine breaking down out there today
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Bird on January 03, 2020, 11:03:15 AM
We are stuck at Perth right now. Which is fine, but being casual and supposed to be back at work soon, the funds are going to be tight.
Shouldn't complain as lots of people have lost everything, but are going it opens soon.
Really wish people would stop trying to get across though, the towns on the route are really struggling with supplies as it is.
might be handy for u

https://myfirewatch.landgate.wa.gov.au/ (https://myfirewatch.landgate.wa.gov.au/)
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: WilSurf on January 03, 2020, 11:27:38 AM
Handy site: https://www.emergency.wa.gov.au/
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 05, 2020, 06:26:00 PM
Eyre Highway is now closed at the WA-SA border.

Great Central Road closed between Laverton and SA border due to flooding.

Thinking of going via Darwin? There's a cyclone brewing off the N-W coast and there are flood warnings for the Kimberley and Pilbara mid-week.

Not nearly as bad as bushfires.
 
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Black Diamond on January 05, 2020, 06:39:09 PM
 Stay safe everyone. What the hell is going on this country at the moment  :-[
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 05, 2020, 06:47:02 PM
Stay safe everyone. What the hell is going on this country at the moment  :-[

Stay safe indeed

Cyclone not unusual  in WA this time of year of course.  If the computer models are right this one could produce rain over a wide area of WA from the Pilbara down to the Nullarbor which would be welcomed by all.
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: sharkcaver on January 05, 2020, 08:19:00 PM
I heard that DFES, along with Police and ambo's are escorting all those trapped motorists on the Nullarbor tomorrow across into Norseman and South Aus. Then they will close the road until the fires abate. The Great Central is also now closed due to flooding. So for any motorists trying to get to/from the West atm, you are screwed. As stated, even the top end might not be an option due to an impending cyclone. If you want a remote trip across via the ABH, then Ilkurlka got dumped with rain yesterday as well. May as well stay another week  :cheers:
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 05, 2020, 08:56:27 PM
This is the plan to get people off Eyre Highway

Good luck to them

https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/newsandmedia/Lists/NewsImages/Planned%20controlled%20convoy%20-%20public%20information%20(003).pdf
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Fizzie on January 07, 2020, 12:57:33 PM
Did the convoy happen ???

Did they make it through OK ???

Have some of the people being told to drive continuously for 4 hours been traumatised for life ??? >:D
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 07, 2020, 01:11:39 PM
Did the convoy happen ???

Did they make it through OK ???

Have some of the people being told to drive continuously for 4 hours been traumatised for life ??? >:D

Saw a reference to people being accommodated in Esperance so I guess it happened.

Border still closed at Eucla and no heading east beyond Coolgardie. Great Central Road closed due to flooding.




Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 07, 2020, 04:42:20 PM
The road between Coolgardie and Esperance is now open, but only for those travelling between those towns or with specific business or a home in Norseman.   A permit is required. 

The Eyre Highway may be open within 48 hours, but as they say, the situation is subject to change.   
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: DandyD on January 07, 2020, 05:07:52 PM
The Eyre Highway may be open within 48 hours, but as they say, the situation is subject to change.

I noticed a sign at the start of the 94 in Perth that it would be shut for 5 days. That was last Thursday. Not a bad estimate.
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 08, 2020, 12:18:34 PM
Not on scale of some but still important.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-07/bushfires-cause-stirling-ranges-biodiversity-to-be-devastated/11844516
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: GGV8Cruza on January 08, 2020, 02:59:05 PM
BIL stuck in SA at the moment waiting to get home to Perth. Looks like they will enjoy the beaches for a while longer.

GG

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 08, 2020, 03:51:56 PM
BIL stuck in SA at the moment waiting to get home to Perth. Looks like they will enjoy the beaches for a while longer.

GG

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

Balladonia fire has flared again. Plans to reopen Eyre Highway tomorrow on hold.

Rain forecast for the region tomorrow from remnants of cyclone. Hopefully it does the trick.

Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 09, 2020, 09:14:48 AM
Marble Bar has just passed 100. So what? No, not  100F but 100mm of rain since 9am yesterday.

On top of 70 in the previous 24 hours.

Parts of the  Pilbara are getting a welcome drink and lots of roads will be closed.

Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: rossm on January 10, 2020, 10:48:04 AM
Western Australia is back in touch with the rest of the nation!

Eyre Highway reopened this morning, much to relief of stranded travellers and truckies I’d wager.

Great Central Road still closed due to floods.

I am planning a loop starting in April. East via the nullarbor, back west via Great Central. Affected areas will be interesting to see.

Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: WilSurf on January 10, 2020, 10:56:05 AM
Suburbs south of Perth have a fire warning as well after a fire started along the Highway.
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: Bird on January 10, 2020, 11:03:51 AM
Quote from: rossm
and truckies I’d wager.

at least they would be up to date with their logbook rest times ;)
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: alnjan on January 13, 2020, 03:00:25 PM
Worth a watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=pAP81b9ZRRg&feature=emb_logo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=pAP81b9ZRRg&feature=emb_logo)


As bushfires burn across Australia, we look back to 1961.

This ABC News report shows how communities around Dwellingup in Western Australia fought and survived bushfires.

There are many things that have changed, but also many things that remain the same - including the community spirit to help those in need.
Title: Re: Fires in outback WA
Post by: bmwfreak on January 13, 2020, 06:44:30 PM
Climate change in 1961, sure, it did exist back then as it has done throughout the lifecycle of the earth. The major problem for the people of Dwellingup was the same as those affected this season, the wind. Lots of bushfires are contained within a couple of days of their origin. The wind creates the MEGA fires seen in Australia, and probably other nations who suffer from these events.