Bushfires raging in Western Australia’s Margaret River tourist region have forced evacuations and burnt through over 6,000 hectares of land.
Firefighters are battling two large blazes from the ground and air while residents have been told to leave their homes.
One fast-moving blaze had ripped through more than 5000 hectares of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park on Thursday night.
Emergency Western Australia told people to avoid non-essential travel to the area while the major Bussell Highway remained closed due to smoke as the wildfires continued to burn out of control.
The picturesque Lake Cave - one of the area’s biggest tourist draws - has been devastated by the fires - which remain under investigation.
Residents on the eastern side of Caves Road were urged to leave as more than 150 firefighters battled to strengthen containment lines in hot and windy weather.
While fears are growing for a man who has gone missing after being last seen near where one of the blazes started.
Jordan Marshall, 40, a real estate agent from Fremantle in Western Australia, who disappeared from a campsite without his phone or car on Wednesday morning near the Margaret River.
Evacuation centres have opened in Margaret River and Busselton.Authorities are particularly worried about farming properties on the eastern side of Caves Road.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services said conditions had improved throughout Thursday evening evening but there was still a significant risk to the community.
Commissioner Darren Klemm earlier described the situation as “extremely serious’”
“A number of properties are under threat on or about Caves Road,” he said.
“‘Strong winds, cave systems and (lack of) access for machinery are making it incredibly difficult to control the bushfires and people need to listen to the warnings that are being placed”, he said.
