Windy Harbour bushfire: DFES downgrades bushfire to watch and act following downfall of rain

The Windy Harbour bushfire, which has razed about 25,000ha of land, has been downgraded to a watch and act following a downfall of rain.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services downgraded its emergency warning for residents in Windy Harbour, Shannon National Park, Boorara-Gardner National Park and D’entrecasteaux National Park about 6am on Wednesday after light rain fell over the fireground.

The watch and act is also in place for people living in parts of Shannon, Boorara Brooke, Broke, Meerup and Northcliffe State Forest, excluding the Northcliffe Townsite in the Shire of Manjimup.

“While some light rain has reduced bushfire behaviour, forecast warm and windy conditions later today may increase fire behaviour,” a DFES spokesperson said.

“Stay alert and monitor your surroundings as conditions could change.

“Keep your doors and windows closed to keep out smoke.

“Continue to patrol your property and be ready to put out spot fires.”

The blaze — which was sparked by lightning — is not contained or controlled.

Multiple bushfires are still burning in the area.

Firefighters were patrolling the fire ground through the night and fire trucks remain on standby in the Windy Harbour sentiment.

A number of roads including Windy Harbour Road, south of Summertime Track, Deeside Coast Road south from Middleton Road, Chesapeake Road south of Andrews Road to Broke Inlet Road and Broke Inlet Road from South Western Highway have been closed.

Parts of Shannon and D’Entrecasteaux national parks are closed, including all roads and tracks east and west of Windy Harbour Road, and tracks located west of South Western Highway, northwest of Broke Inlet Road, and north of Broke Inlet and the Southern Ocean

All roads south of Double Bridge Road have also been closed.

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

A bushfire advice is also in place for parts of North Walpole, Shannon, Broke, Crowea, Boorara Brook, Northcliffe, Meerup and Callup, in the Shire of Manjimup.

There is no threat to lives and homes.