Four people have died in bushfires raging in Western Australia, police have confirmed.
Three blazes are ravaging areas on the state’s south coast. The victims lost their lives around Green Patch and Salmon Gums near Esperance.
People in the areas of Salmon Gums, Grass Patch, Stockyard Creek and Mullet Lakes were on Wednesday morning urged by emergency services to immediately evacuate if it was safe to do so and to stay away from the areas.
Roads and several schools have been closed as fire services attempt to bring the blazes under control.
Nasty.
Posted by Paul Willoughby on Monday, November 16, 2015
According to the ABC, Fire and Emergency Services Regional Superintendent Trevor Tasker said the blaze at Salmon Gums was out of control and the worst he had seen.
“The wind and weather conditions, there was no stopping it,” he said.
Firefighters were caught off-guard by the speed of the blaze’s advance.
“It definitely wasn’t planned, it was on the spot and flying by the seat of your pants,” he said.
“It was moving at a rate of knots that you’ve never seen before.”
For up to date warnings and advice on the Western Australia bushfires, go to dfes.wa.gov.au
TOP IMAGE: Fire rages in Western Australia. (Kate Sainty/Facebook)