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Chittering fire downgraded to alert level, Margaret River fire still out of control

Staff reportersPerthNow
VideoSeven News footage of the fire in Chittering.

UPDATE AS OF 6.05PM Wednesday: A fire warning in Chittering has been downgraded to an alert level, there is no longer a threat to lives or homes.

Residents have been told their lives are at possible risk and they should leave their homes if they are unprepared as fire bears down in Margaret River and Chittering.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued Watch and Act alerts for both areas as hot and windy conditions test fire crews.

The Chittering fire alert encompasses an area bounded by Santa Gertrudis to the west, Maryville Heights to the north, Julimar Road to the east and Morley Road to the south in parts of lower Chittering.

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The blaze, which broke out just after noon on Tuesday near the intersection of Chittering Road and Chittering Valley Road about 60km north-east of Perth, was downgraded to an advice level overnight but was upgraded again to a Watch and Act as the fire intensified.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes as the fire approaches and conditions are changing.

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The fire that broke out near the intersection of Chittering Road and Chittering Valley Road
Camera IconResidents have been warned to leave if they are not prepared to fight the fire. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

Meanwhile, a bushfire is burning out-of-control and posing a potential threat to lives and homes around Mammoth Cave and Contos Campground near Boranup in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.

The fire, which started about 9.50am on Wednesday near the intersection of Caves Road and Calgardup Road, is moving in a westerly direction.

A bushfire south of Dongara has been downgraded with the blaze now contained and controlled.

Earlier on Wednesday Indian Ocean Drive at the Brand Highway and the Coolimba-Eneabba intersections was closed as water bombers and fire crews on the ground battled to put out the Cliff Head blaze.

Hot dry and windy conditions are making for prime bushfire conditions.

Premier Mark McGowan confirmed a large aerial tanker due to arrive from NSW on Wednesday afternoon would be availble to be deployed. to fight fires.

“Obviously, the conditions are very serious. It’s a very hot day and blustery conditions. So I just urge everyone in those areas, Chittering and Arrowsmith, to be very careful.

“Listen to all the advice. We will do our best but they need listen to the advice and follow the advice that is provided. So that will be an ongoing process, no doubt over coming days.”

Total fire bans are in place for large swathes of the State, including in Perth, Mid West, Wheatbelt, and Gascoyne.

Perth is expected to hit a sweltering 40C. Winds will be east to northeasterly 25 to 40 km/h becoming easterly 25 to 35 km/h in the late evening.

In the Pilbara hot conditions continue with Pannawonica 43C, Telfer 43C, and Paraburdoo 42C all suffering heatwave conditions.

To stay up to date with fire conditions go to emergency.wa.gov.au

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