Firefighters in Western Australia are bracing ahead of a forecast heat spike, with several regional areas already impacted by blazes to be watched closely.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts temperatures will soar above 40C across large sections of WA’s northern and inland regions from Monday, putting firefighters on high alert.
The state’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services on Wednesday issued a bushfire advice warning for an area just 15km east of the Gascoyne Coast tourist town of Canarvon.
A slow-moving fire there has burned around 3500 hectares, and although it poses no threat to lives or homes, locals are being urged to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, DFES has issued an all-clear for a blaze in the Pilbara that broke out at Wittenoom, nearly 300km south of Port Hedland, on Boxing Day.
It burned through around 100 hectares, but is now no longer posing a threat to lives and homes.
They’ll continue monitoring the Wittenoom blaze, as well as another to the east in remote scrub around Telfer.
And another fire in the state’s South West region is contained and under control, but a bushfire advice remains in effect for residents in an area around 30km north of Walpole.
The Trent bushfire has been burning since November 30 when it was sparked by an escaped prescribed burn.
It’s also being monitored by DFES, although the South West should dodge the worst of the looming heatwave.
Total fire bans were put in place for coastal regions of the state’s Mid-West on Wednesday, with widespread bans expected to be brought in over the early days of 2023.
BOM predicts some northern inland regions of WA could push the 45C mark, keeping emergency services on high alert.
You can keep up to date with the latest fire warning across the state at www.emergency.wa.gov.au.