Wedge Island fire: Two volunteer firefighters injured battling blaze, Cervantes urged to evacuate

Two volunteer firefighters were injured while battling an out-of-control bushfire, with one airlifted to a Perth hospital with serious burns.

It is understood one male firefighter was seriously burnt while another received injuries while on the fire ground in an area around Wedge Island, Cooljarloo and Nambung on Wednesday.

Late on Wednesday the area was within an emergency alert zone, with the blaze remaining out-of-control and uncontained.

A separate emergency alert was issued for the coastal town of Cervantes at 6pm on Wednesday after the fire already tore through 37,338 hectares.

The approximate 500 residents in Cervantes were urged to evacuate in a northerly direction towards Jurien Bay if safe, with the bushfire moving in multiple directions amid changing weather conditions.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said lives and homes were at risk.

“Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger,” DFES said.

Earlier in the day, St John WA were called to the suburb of Cataby to treat one person, which The West understands was a male volunteer firefighter, just before 12pm.

The firefighter, aged in his 60s, was then rushed in an ambulance to Gingin oval.

He was admitted to Fiona Stanley Hospital’s burns unit after being airlifted from Gingin by the RAC Rescue helicopter.

It is understood the firefighter’s injuries are serious, but not life-threatening.

A second firefighter, who was believed to have been burnt on the fire ground, did not require an ambulance as his injuries were minor.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokeswoman confirmed two firefighters were injured.

“DFES is investigating the incident,” she said.

The fire was sparked by a a fatal car crash in Mimegarra about 10.55am on Monday, with the flames quickly spreading to nearby bushland.

Police said a sports utility vehicle, driven by a man of unknown age, was travelling east on Meadows Road when it hit a tree, killing the driver at the scene.

Cervantes Primary School was closed and residents within the emergency zone urged to leave for a safer place.

More than 60 firefighters— including both career and volunteer personnel — were battling the blaze on Wednesday.

Aerial support including water bombers were also trying to douse flames as it moved in a north easterly direction.

People in Wedge, extending inland to Indian Ocean Drive and north to Bibby Road including parts of Nambung National Park in Wedge Island, Cooljarloo and Nambung were also bounded by an emergency warning on Wednesday night.

Residents were told to leave immediately if the way was clear.

After some reprieve since it started on Monday, the blaze was upgraded to an emergency level again on Wednesday due to changing conditions.

An evacuation centre is in place at Jurien Bay Sports and Recreation Centre.

Road closures in the area include Indian Ocean Drive between Ocean Place and Cervantes Road, Munbinea Road at Cervantes Road, Bibby Road at Brand Highway and Meadows Road at Mimegarra Road.

There are no reported structure losses linked to the blaze.