Australia Weather News

A Christmas Day emergency-level fire came within a few kilometres of the Boddington town site overnight, 130 kilometres south-east of Perth.

Fire crews worked through the night to keep the large fire at bay — which remains neither contained nor controlled, and has burnt through nearly 3,700 hectares.

Meanwhile, some residents spent Christmas night in an evacuation centre in the nearby town of Williams.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) downgraded the fire to a Watch and Act on Friday morning as conditions improved due to increased humidity and consolidated containment lines.

DFES Assistant Commissioner Stuart Wade said the fire came within 2 kilometres of the town site on Thursday night.

"Firefighters have done an incredible job protecting homes, and at this stage we don't have any reports of property loss at either of the emergency level fires."

He said while conditions were favourable overnight, expected wind increases during the day will make it challenging for crews.

"It's certainly been a challenging 48 hours for our career and volunteer firefighters, with crews working through Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and overnight," he said.

"Currently, we've got 40 fire appliances at Boddington, and we've got 13 aircraft available, including an air-tanker and two rotary-wing Blackhawks. They'll commence again this morning."

He said the fire's behaviour is erratic, with a serious risk of spot fires presented by embers.

"It has been extremely challenging, it has been erratic, the gusty winds have changed direction throughout the night.

"There's lots of fuel there, dense fuel loads, and the spotting from the fire behaviour was up to 250 metres from the fire."

Town evacuates

The Boddington Shire President Eugene Smalberger said about 50 people fled to the evacuation centre at the Sports Pavilion in nearby town of Williams, many with animals.

"Everyone has seen the glow and realised that this is a serious situation and to get out," she said.

"There was a few of the older people that really just wanted to go back home, and we needed to explain to them that there was really no chance — just make peace with it and stay for the night."

She said the fire has been burning for two weeks, but flared up with the heat, starting a spotfire closer to town than anticipated.

"Unfortunately, that one was in a really rough terrain in the forest, so from the start, they couldn't fight it. So they had containment lines, but it jumped the containment lines."

"With the size of the flames, it's nearly impossible to fight it from the ground."

Residents thank firies

Boddington resident Mark remained in town on Thursday night to help.

He said the fire was "racing across the hills" and burnt a lot of timber around 5pm on Thursday night.

"Then the wind changed direction, and then it was gusting for a wee bit, but then the wind died off," he said.

"Obviously, all the hills are still sparkling with fires, but it could be worse."

Deputy Shire president Paul Carrotts left family Christmas in Mandurah to come home to Boddington to help out.

"There's certainly still a red glow, you look to the north towards the gold mine, there's definitely a red glow," he said.

He thanked the firefighters who worked all throughout Christmas Day, and the nearby town of Williams for taking in evacuated residents.

"The community can't thank them enough," he said.

Some workers remain at mine

The ABC received reports on Thursday night that a number of workers remained at the mining camp south-east of Newmont's Boddington gold mine, near where the fire was burning.

One worker said they had initially planned to leave but had been told the evacuation had been "cancelled".

Newmont told the ABC on Friday all workers had the option to leave, but about 70 chose to stay on site — which had been designated as a safe zone — rather than navigating roads impacted by fallen trees and power lines.

Newmont said others had chosen to stay to assist firefighters.

Following reports of delayed evacuations on Wednesday night, Newmont also clarified that DFES had determined the fire was too close to the mine's blasting zone, which contains explosives, meaning workers had to wait in the car park to be escorted.