Western Australia is confronting a severe heatwave and widespread bushfires, with authorities issuing urgent warnings and telling some communities it is too late to evacuate.

In the Great Southern region, multiple fires have triggered emergency warnings as of December 16, 2025, with several areas advised that evacuation is no longer possible.

Residents in the remaining area bounded by Ongerup Creek, O’Neil Road, Magners Road and Peedilip Creek are urged to leave only if a safe exit remains.

In the Mid West and Wheatbelt, authorities asked residents to monitor alerts and be ready to act quickly if conditions worsen.

Many fires in the north have been downgraded to watch and act or advisory levels, but ongoing threats to lives and properties persist as containment lines are established.

Forecasts show heatwave conditions continuing through Thursday, with daytime highs in the mid-40s Celsius and overnight lows in the mid-20s.

A watch and act warning remains for Broomehill Village and nearby areas after earlier escalation from an emergency status.

Chittering and Gingin shires were told it is not safe to return home as fires sparked by lightning remain active about 100 kilometres northeast of Perth.

Two separate emergency warnings were issued in Mindarabin, Cowalellup, Mills Lake, Ongerup and Toompup after a fire reported at 12:18 PM.

Some residents east of Mindarabin were advised it is too late to leave and to shelter in place with protective water to survive the approaching heat and flames.

Fires continue to move north and remain uncontained, with firefighters, Farmer Response teams and local brigades actively responding.

Areas likely to be affected include Hopetoun, Hyden, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Lake Grace, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Ravensthorpe and Wagin.