Cranbrook bushfire: Authorities contain raging blaze after evacuation routes were impacted

An emergency blaze in the Shire of Cranbrook was contained within hours after it threatened to reach the townsite on Saturday afternoon.

Authorities issued an emergency warning earlier in the day for residents in Cranbrook and Tenterden, about 94km north of Albany, after evacuation routes were impacted by the blaze, which sparked just after 3pm.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the grass scrub fire burnt 40ha of land but did not damage any structures.

People in the area bounded by Albany Highway, Ronaldshaw Road, Cranbrook Road and Newton Road in Cranbrook and Tenterden were told to “act immediately to survive” and take shelter.

Eight firefighting crews from Albany, Cranbrook, Tambellup, Porongurup, Mt Barker and Katanning were battling the blaze as it approached the townsite.

But fireys managed to contain and control the fire just before 5pm, prompting DFES to downgrade the warning to “watch and act” advice that evening, then again to “avoid the area” on Sunday.

“Avoid the area, stay alert and monitor your surroundings as conditions could change,” the alert said.

“You may need to act quickly so ensure you are prepared if the situation gets worse.”

Great Southern Highway between Albany Highway and Grantham Street and the Cranbrook Railway line were closed but reopened on Sunday, with motorists asked to avoid the area where possible and drive carefully.

DFES said the cause is undetermined.