Port Denison bushfire: Emergency threat eases as firefighters mop up from close call

The bushfire threat facing people south of Dongara has eased, with the blaze that came close to houses downgraded to an advice alert on Sunday.

The bushfire emergency started on Friday afternoon, threatening lives and homes and prompting dozens of firefighters from battling flames that have come dangerously close to properties in Port Denison and Springfield.

On Sunday, the fire was downgraded to the lowest advice level for Port Denison and Springfield.

“The alert level for this fire has been downgraded as the fire is contained and controlled,” DFES stated.

“There is no threat to lives or homes.”

Over the weekend, aerial support assisted about 70 firefighters battling the blaze on the ground. Flames came dangerously close to homes and the local golf course.

The evacuation centre at the Irwin Recreation Centre has been closed. Residents in the area are advised that backburning operations are still taking place and may produce smoke.

The blaze has burnt about 852 hectares.

Western Power are reporting 30 homes are without power due to the bushfire.

It is understood that preliminary investigations have blamed the cause of the fire on “electrical infrastructure”.

Bushfire updates can be found at Emergency WA.