A significant bushfire erupted near Tonkin Highway in the Perth suburb of Cullacabardee on Friday afternoon, leading to severe traffic congestion and a temporary road closure. The incident has caused major disruptions for commuters and prompted a swift emergency response.
Emergency Response and Road Closure
The blaze was first reported by Emergency WA at approximately 5:16pm, with the fire igniting adjacent to the busy Tonkin Highway. In response to the threat, Main Roads authorities made the decision to close the northbound lanes of Tonkin Highway after Hepburn Avenue as a precautionary measure.
This closure was implemented to ensure public safety and allow emergency crews to access the area without obstruction. The highway remained shut for approximately nine minutes before being reopened around 5:25pm once initial containment efforts were established.
Traffic Impacts and Commuter Delays
Despite the highway reopening, traffic conditions remained severely impacted throughout the evening commute. Heavy congestion was reported with traffic backed up as far as Reid Highway, creating significant delays for motorists traveling through the northern suburbs of Perth.
Commuters experienced slow-moving conditions and extended travel times as traffic management systems worked to clear the backlog created by the temporary closure and ongoing emergency operations.
Fire Threat Assessment and Public Advice
Emergency services issued an alert at 5:57pm advising that the immediate fire threat had been reduced. However, authorities continued to urge anyone in the Cullacabardee area to remain vigilant and alert to changing conditions.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services maintained a presence at the scene alongside police and incident response teams to monitor the situation and ensure complete containment of the blaze.
Multi-Agency Response
The emergency response involved coordinated efforts from multiple agencies including The Department of Fire and Emergency Services, police units, and Main Roads incident response teams. This collaborative approach ensured both fire containment and traffic management were addressed simultaneously.
Authorities worked efficiently to minimize disruption while prioritizing public safety throughout the incident. The quick reopening of the highway demonstrated effective coordination between emergency services and traffic management officials.
As evening progressed, traffic conditions gradually improved, though residual delays persisted in the area. Authorities continued to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed to ensure community safety and traffic flow normalization.
