2023 Wanneroo bushfire
{{Short description|Bushfire in Perth, Western Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox wildfire
|title = 2023 Wanneroo bushfire
|landuse = Urban/rural areas, housing properties
|pushpin_map_alt =
|pushpin_map =
|image =
|caption = Wanneroo, November 2023
|motive =
|perps =
|evacuated = 130 people
|fatalities = None
|injuries =
|acres = {{convert|1900|ha|acres}}
|livestock =
|structures =
|buildings = 18 houses
|cause = Ground fire
|time =
|date = 22 – 26 November 2023
|cost = Unknown
}}
The 2023 Wanneroo bushfire began on 22 November 2023 in Mariginiup in the City of Wanneroo, Western Australia. The fire forced evacuations of residents and eighteen houses were destroyed. The fire destroyed over {{convert|1900|ha|acres}} of land, including farmland and houses in localities in the City of Wanneroo and the adjoining City of Swan.{{Cite web |last=Prince |first=Lauren |date=2023-11-23 |title=Bushfire live updates: Devastating Wanneroo fire claims 10 homes |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/bushfire-warning/fire-crews-battling-multiple-blazes-throughout-perth-metro-and-wa-regional-areas--c-12643797 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The West Australian |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=Perth bushfire: ten homes destroyed as residents in northern suburbs forced to flee |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/23/perth-bushfire-residents-in-citys-north-forced-to-flee-as-temperatures-approach-40c |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=The Guardian |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Wanneroo mayor speaks of battle against bushfires in Perth's northern suburbs|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-23/wanneroo-mayor-speaks-battle-bushfires-perth-northern-suburbs/103144546|access-date=2023-11-23|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=Joint media statement - Disaster assistance available for Western Australia's Mariginiup bushfire {{!}} Western Australian Government |url=https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook-Labor-Government/Joint-media-statement---Disaster-assistance-available-for-Western-Australia's-Mariginiup-bushfire--20231125 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=www.wa.gov.au |language=en}} The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). The cause of the ignition of this fire is unknown. The presence of fire weather was an important factor in the ignition and propagation of this fire. On 29 December, the DFES announced tits finding that the fire was ignited by ground fire.{{Cite web |last=Sadler |first=Claire |date=2023-11-26 |title=Wanneroo fire finally downgraded after conditions ease |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/bushfires/wanneroo-fire-under-control-as-conditions-ease-for-firefighters-battling-blaze-in-perths-northern-suburbs-c-12688632 |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=Probe determines how tragic Wanneroo blaze started |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/wanneroo-bushfire-dfes-investigaton-determines-blaze-that-destroyed-18-homes-was-sparked-underground--c-13054371 |access-date=2024-03-21 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}
Background
File:WA Election 2025 - Wanneroo.svg
The City of Wanneroo is a peri-urban city in the Perth greater metropolitan area. Wanneroo lies 28 km north of the Perth central business district.{{Cite web |title=Wanneroo to Perth |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Wanneroo,+Western+Australia+6065/Perth,+Western+Australia/@-31.8515817,115.738745,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x2a32ad2a5aa90ca7:0x49ee3ad0b4a4ab9f!2m2!1d115.8027929!2d-31.7509712!1m5!1m1!1s0x2a32966cdb47733d:0x304f0b535df55d0!2m2!1d115.8616783!2d-31.9513993!3e0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxOS4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw== |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Wanneroo to Perth |language=en}} It comprises some 36 suburbs. On census day 2021, the population of Wanneroo was 209,111 living in 78,029 dwellings.{{Cite web |title=2021 Wanneroo, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA58760 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=abs.gov.au}}
Wanneroo lies within a fire prone area.{{Cite web |title=ArcGIS Web Application |url=https://maps.slip.wa.gov.au/landgate/bushfireprone/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=maps.slip.wa.gov.au}} The landscape includes vegetation with a high fuel load such as the Jarrah Forest with its undergrowth, parks and reserves.{{Cite web |title=Bushfire Overview - Department of Fire and Emergency Services |url=https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/hazard-information/bushfire |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=www.dfes.wa.gov.au}} Wanneroo is also prone to fire weather (hot, dry, windy days) with a bushfire season between October to April.
The suburbs of Wanneroo severely affected by the Wanneroo fire of 2023 included Banksia Grove, Mariginiup, Wanneroo, and Tapping. Other affected suburbs included Ashby, Carramar, Jandabup, Melaleuca, Sinagra and Wangara.{{Cite web|last=Nolan|first=Johnathon|date=2023-11-23|title=Wanneroo fire: True blue Aussie in his pluggers praised for quickly putting out fire in Wangara|url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/bushfires/wanneroo-fire-true-blue-aussie-in-his-pluggers-praised-for-quickly-putting-out-fire-in-wangara-c-12665320|access-date=2023-11-23|website=Perth Now|language=en-AU}}
Timeline
=22 November=
File:Photo of smoke from Wanneroo 2023 Bushfire on 22 sep 2023 01.jpg The fire began in the suburb of Mariginiup at around 1:00 p.m.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-22 |title=Fire crews facing 'dangerous' conditions as residents flee blazes amid unseasonal spring heatwave |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-22/aubin-grove-emergency-bushfire-kwinana-freeway-perth/103137358 |access-date=2025-02-22 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} On that day, a maximum temperature close to 40 °C and wind gusts of up to 41 km/h created fire weather. The fire moved quickly in a westerly direction. Over 120 firefighters were dispatched to the fire and bushfire emergency warnings were broadcast. Some residents were advised to shelter in place as it was no longer safe to leave. An evacuation center for displaced residents was established at the Wanneroo Recreation Centre.{{Cite web|last=Zimmerman|first=Josh|date=2023-11-23|title=Wanneroo bushfire: DFES commissioner Darren Klemm reveals ten homes lost as firefighters work to control blaze|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/bushfires/wanneroo-bushfire-dfes-commissioner-darren-klemm-reveals-10-homes-lost-as-firefighters-work-to-control-blaze-c-12653099|access-date=2023-11-23|website=The West Australian|language=en-AU}} At 10 pm, the fire was still moving rapidly.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title= Fire crews battle raging blaze overnight in Perth's north east|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-23/fire-crews-battle-with-blaze-overnight-in-perths-north-east/103140004|access-date=2023-11-23|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}
=23 November=
Overnight, the fire continued uncontrolled. Police and firefighters placed traffic restrictions at critical road intersections. Australia Post cancelled all deliveries to the areas affected by the bushfire. During the morning, the fire intensified.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Perth heatwave making for perfect storm of terrible conditions for firefighters battling Wanneroo bushfire|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/weather/perth-heatwave-making-for-perfect-storm-of-terrible-conditions-for-firefighters-battling-wanneroo-bushfire--c-12652575|access-date=2023-11-23|website=The West Australian|language=en-AU}} High temperatures to 40°C and wind gusts of up to 65 km/h continued.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Monster bushfire claims properties in Perth's northern suburbs amid horror heatwave|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/too-late-to-leave-dire-warning-for-perths-north-as-lifethreatening-bushfire-rages/news-story/95bb70d248f3c034ea6cfd102f1cbf29|access-date=2023-11-23|website=News.com|language=en-AU}} In Tapping, multiple sheds were destroyed.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Perth bushfire rages through northern suburbs with homes, sheds lost in Tapping|url=https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Perth-bushfire-rages-through-northern-suburbs-with-homes-sheds-lost-in-Tapping-fxr458/|access-date=2023-11-23|website=/|language=en-AU}} At 2.30 p.m., further evacuations were ordered. Wanneroo Secondary College was closed.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Bushfire live updates: Wanneroo fire danger zone spreads into more suburbs as schools evacuate|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/bushfire-warning/fire-crews-battling-multiple-blazes-throughout-perth-metro-and-wa-regional-areas--c-12643797|access-date=2023-11-23|website=The Western Australian|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Perth bushfire live updates: Homes lost as firefighters continue to battle massive Wanneroo blaze|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-23/perth-bushfire-updates-dfes-commissioner-deputy-premier/103142038|access-date=2023-11-23|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Perth fire: Schools evacuated, danger area expands as bushfire emergency rages on|url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/perth-fire-homes-destroyed-as-blaze-ravages-northern-suburbs-20231123-p5emcy.html|access-date=2023-11-23|website=WATODAY|language=en-AU}} By 10 p.m. the fire area was over 1700 acres (680 hectares) and houses had been destroyed. Fire fighting efforts were predicted to continue for days.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Perth fire live updates: DFES says Wanneroo bushfire likely won't be controlled for days & burnt 1700 hectares|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/bushfire-warning/fire-crews-battling-multiple-blazes-throughout-perth-metro-and-wa-regional-areas--c-12643797|access-date=2023-11-23|website=The West Australian|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|date=2023-11-23|title=Perth bushfire rages in northern suburbs with ten homes, sheds lost in Tapping, Banksia Grove|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-23/bushfire-wanneroo-tapping-homes-razed-banksia-grove/103139376|access-date=2023-11-23|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}
=24 November=
File:DFES Wanneroo Fire Support.jpg
By the morning of 24 November, DFES had partial control of the fire. However, the fire remained active throughout the day.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-24|title=Bushfire emergency continues in Perth's north-east as firefighters seize on 'favourable' change|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-24/perth-bushfire-emergency-crews-spend-second-night-battling-blaze/103143928|access-date=2023-11-24|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}} In the afternoon at 3 p.m., Roger Cook, premier of Western Australia, announced a total of 18 homes had been lost to the fire.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-24|title=Perth fire live updates: WA Premier Roger Cook confirms 18 houses lost in devastating bushfire
|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/bushfire-warning/fire-crews-battling-multiple-blazes-throughout-perth-metro-and-wa-regional-areas--c-12643797|access-date=2023-11-24|website=The West Australia|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|date=2023-11-24|title=Eighteen homes lost as firefighters battle raging blaze in Perth's north|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-bushfires-conditions-favorable-overnight-emergency-warnings-till-in-place/995c33e2-5d9d-4eb1-8a60-1d7a21cf599a|access-date=2023-11-24|website=9 News|language=en-AU}} Fire weather was predicted to continue for two days.{{Cite web|date=2023-11-24|title=Perth fire live updates: More properties damaged as firefighters brace for another hot day|url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/perth-fire-live-updates-more-properties-lost-as-firefighters-brace-for-another-hot-day-20231124-p5emkf.html|access-date=2023-11-24|website=WA Today|language=en-AU}}
=25 November=
In the afternoon, Cook reported that no further houses had been lost.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-25 |title=Cook delivers major update on Wanneroo bushfires |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/bushfires/wanneroo-fire-premier-roger-cook-confirms-no-more-homes-lost-c-12678750 |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=The West Australian |language=en}} The DFES had the fire contained but structures remained under threat. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicted ongoing fire weather with strong gusts until mid-morning the following day. Stephen Dawson, Western Australia's emergency services minister, said that residents whose home were severely damaged or destroyed were eligible to receive $4,000 and those who were affected otherwise to $2,000 of government funding.{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Lucy |date=2023-11-25 |title=Firefighters work to bring Perth bushfire under control as another blaze hits WA |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-25/perth-bushfire-firefighters-sweat-on-forecast-strong-winds/103150510 |access-date=2023-11-25}}
=26 November =
At 9:00 am, DFES advised 18 homes have been lost and another 30 were damaged. The fire was contained but Watch and Act warnings (advice to residents) remained in place in Jandabup, Melaleuca, Wanneroo and Mariginiup. Residents were advised, for their safety, not to return to their properties in fire affected areas. Electricity was yet to be restored to some areas.{{Cite web |last=Bennett, Tuffield |first=Emily, Rhiannon |date=2023-11-26 |title=Dozens of home lost, damaged amid ongoing WA bushfire threat |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-bushfires-update-dozens-of-homes-lost-damaged-amid-ongoing-wa-bushfire-threat/11db0a45-c618-4de6-bc26-a176495a3125 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=www.9news.com.au}} At 3:40 pm, the DFES confirmed that the Wanneroo bushfire had been contained and controlled. Watch and Act warnings were down-graded to a Bushfire Advice level. Clint Kuchel, the DFES spokesman said the fire area was unchenged but no further homes had been lost. 130 firefighters continued to fight the fire. Some roads had been opened when safe to do so. 150 homes remained without power.
References
{{reflist}}
{{2023 wildfires}}
{{Bushfires in Australia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wanneroo bushfire, 2023}}
Category:2023 fires in Oceania
Category:2023 disasters in Australia
Category:2020s in Perth, Western Australia
Category:November 2023 in Australia