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A bushfire is threatening lives and homes in the Western Australian town of Gwindinup, south-east of Bunbury.
An emergency warning has been issued for people in an area east of South West Highway, north of Argyle Road, and near Myrtle Ridge, Hetherington Road, Hooker Street, Hurst Road and the surrounding areas.
The fire started near the intersection of Hurst Road and Hooker Street in Gwindinup.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has advised that if the way is clear, people should try to leave their homes for a safer place.
The department says homes in Hetherington Road are under threat by fire.
The bushfire is moving fast in a south-easterly direction, towards Argyle and Donnybrook.
However, firefighters are expecting the wind to change from north westerly to southerly at 8:00pm.
Roads are closed and people are being advised to avoid the area.
About 30 firefighters have been sent to the area, and water bombers are being sent in to assist those on the ground.
A massive plume of smoke can be seen from Bunbury, about 30 kilometres away.
People in the warning area and surrounds are being advised to leave in a southerly direction towards Donnybrook.
A temporary evacuation centre has been established at Donnybrook Recreation Centre on Steer Street in Donnybrook.
Temperatures have soared in Western Australia today, with nearby Donnybrook forecast to hit 37 degrees Celsius.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe fire danger for much of the middle and south of the state, and an extreme fire warning for the Gascoyne Coast.
It has passed 41 degrees Celsius in Perth.
Topics: bushfire, gwindinup-6237, wa
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