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A deliberately lit bushfire on Western Australia's south coast has been downgraded to a 'watch and act', after burning at emergency level for almost 24 hours. The fire started on Thursday afternoon north-east of Walpole in the Shire of Denmark, about 400 kilometres south of Perth. The alert level was finally downgraded at 7pm on Friday night. An evacuation centre remains open at Walpole Sport and Recreation Centre. Authorities are working to strengthen the southern border of the fire. The Department of Biodiversity and Attractions said while no properties had so far been lost to the fire, it remained uncontrolled and uncontained. It is burning in part of the Walpole Wilderness Area known for giant karri trees and dense forest. Kel Bilgic said her parents, who live near Hazelvale Road, were monitoring the approaching fire front throughout Thursday. Ms Bilgic said the wind seemed to be pushing the fire towards her parents' property. "It's very close to the farm and my uncle's farm," she said. "Dad is driving over the farm to keep an eye [out] every 30 minutes." Kel Bilgic's parents farm in Hazelvale is close to the fire front. (Supplied: Rod Burton) The blaze comes after bushfire brigades on the south coast issued a warning about a prolonged fire season due to low rainfall and dry fuel loads. Kate Fleay lives south of the fire zone but has cattle in the evacuation area. "It's too late to get in there now so we will cross our fingers," she said. Authorities believe the fire near Walpole was deliberately lit. (Supplied: Kate Fleay) "The bush is parched, a lot of the scrub is brown from no water." After record-breaking summer heat and a significant dry spell, ecologists have warned of bush dying off, likening it to coral bleaching. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said the blaze was reported just before 4am on Thursday. "The cause of the bushfire is definitely suspicious, as I said seven ignition points over 20 kilometres there's no other way around it," DFES incident controller Peter Masters said. The area bordering the forest is full of farms and pasture. (Supplied: Rob Vermeulen ) Police and arson squad detectives are investigating and anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour in the area is urged to contact Crimestoppers. The fire has burned through more than 9,000 hectares. Speaking at a community meeting in Denmark, incident controller Peter Masters said the dry start to autumn had made it harder to contain the blaze. "Over the last few months, it's been very trying times for soil dryness and the soil dryness is high which makes it harder to contain and control the bushfire once they do get underway," he said. For the latest bushfire information listen to ABC Great Southern on 630AM or the listen app. Or visit emergency.wa.gov.au Posted 25 Apr 202425 Apr 2024Thu 25 Apr 2024 at 1:18pm, updated 26 Apr 202426 Apr 2024Fri 26 Apr 2024 at 12:04pmResidents on edge overnight
Bushfire 'definitely suspicious'