Lives and home are under threat in the Margaret River region by an out-of-control bushfire on Sunday in the same area where a blaze destroyed 37 properties five years ago.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said residents and tourists in an area bound by Caves Road, Glenellie Road, Exmoor Drive and Boodjidup Road in the central parts of Redgate were urged to leave if the way was clear.
People who planned to actively defend their properties had to make final preparations and those who were not at home were told not to return as conditions in the area were very dangerous.
DFES said to close all doors and windows and to turn off evaporative airconditioning, but keep water running through the system.
The fire, which was unpredictable and out of control, started about 1:30pm near the intersection of Boodjidup Road in Redgate and was fast approaching as conditions were changing. The cause of the blaze was not yet known.
Aerial support had been sent in to assist the firefighters at the scene and some roads may be closed.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area.
In November 2011 a bushfire razed 37 properties and destroyed 4000 ha of bushland in Prevelly, Gnarabup, and Redgate, including the iconic Walcliffe house.
The fire triggered a damning report by former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty, who found the Department of Environment and Conservation made a series of omissions and mistakes during the planning and implementation of a prescribed burn that led to devastating consequences.
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