11.30pm: The bushfire emergency warning has now been downgraded to a bushfire advice by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Here's their latest update:
A bushfire Advice has been issued for people in the southern part of Toodyay bounded by Toodyay Road, Clackline Toodyay Road, Hoddy Well Road and Salt Valley Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
The alert level for this fire has been downgraded as the bushfire is stationary and contained and under control. There is no threat to lives or homes but there is a lot of smoke in the area.
Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes. Read through your bushfire survival plan and if you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.
A bushfire All Clear has been issued for people in the area south east of Great Eastern Highway, between Chitty Road and Spencers Brook Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
The danger has passed but you need to remain vigilant in case the situation changes.
The next update will be provided by 11am tomorrow, Wednesday 31 December 2014 unlessthe situation changes.
7:45pm: The bushfire emergency warning has been downgraded to a Watch and Act by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Here's their latest update:
A bushfire Watch and Act has been issued for people in the southern part of Toodyay near Salt Valley Road, Challeon Lane, Panorama View, Hoddy Well Road and Sandplain Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
The alert level for this fire has been downgraded as firefighters have controlled the head of the fire, consolidated containment lines and weather conditions have improved.
The bushfire is moving slowly in an easterly direction and it is under control but not yet fully contained. Burning embers are likely to be blown around nearby homes
There is still a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing. Residents need to leave or get ready to actively defend.
If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.
There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.
Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.
A temporary welfare centre has been set up at the Toodyay Town Hall.
A Bushfire Advice has been issued for people in an area bounded by Clackline-Toodyay Road, Hoddy Well Road, Salt Valley Road, Chitty Road and Refractory Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
Although there is no immediate danger for people in these areas you need to be aware and keep up to date.
Read through your bushfire survival plan and if you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.
A Bushfire All Clear has been issued for people in the area south east of Great Eastern Highway, between Chitty Road and Spencers Brook Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
The danger has passed but residents need to remain vigilant in case the situation changes.
7:35pm: Fire crews have contained more than 60 per cent of the blaze and expect to be in full control of it by midnight.
Around 90 firefighters will continue to battle the fire in to the night.
Meanwhile one generous nearby local has taken to Twitter to offer a a pledge of support to anyone needing to house horses or livestock following the fire. She tweeted this not long ago:
6:50pm: It has now been confirmed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) that three sheds have been destroyed in the blaze. There is also an unconfirmed report that one home has been damaged.
6:40pm: The latest update from DFES says firefighters are working to build containment lines around the fire which is now moving slowly in an easterly direction.
Media spokesperson Russell Jones said the fire conditions have eased with winds around 20km/h. Mr Jones said DFES hopes to have the fire contained and controlled by midnight.
6:20pm: Firefighters have told the media they hope to have the bushfire near Toodyay under control by midnight tonight.
6:00pm: The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued another update as follows. The direction of the fire has changed from south easterley to easterley.
A Bushfire Emergency Warning remains for people in the southern part of Toodyay near Salt Valley Road, Challeon Lane, Panorama View, Hoddy Well Road and Sandplain Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
The fire is burning along both sides of Salt Valley Road and homes on the road are under threat. Any residents in the area are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The bushfire is out of control and unpredictable and is moving slowly in an easterly direction. Burning embers are likely to be blown around nearby homes and spot fires are starting ahead of the fire.
It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly, you need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
Go to a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape. Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you. Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly, you need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
Go to a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape. Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you. Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
If you cannot shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, shed, swimming pool, dam or building where you may go to seek shelter from a bushfire.
Approximately 150 firefighters from all fire services are actively fighting the fire and protecting assets in the area and firefighters and DFES personnel have been deployed from the metropolitan area to assist. There is also aerial support in the form of several helitacs and water bombers helping ground crews.
A number of roads have been closed including Toodyay Road between Lovers Lane and Lloyd Crossing, Clackline-Toodyay Road at Eadine Road and Salt Valley Road at Chitty Road.
Western Power advises that the bushfire has affected the electricity supply for customers in the Shire of Toodyay. The most affected areas are Toodyay, Hoddys Well and Morangup.
A Bushfire Watch and Act has been issued for people in an area bounded by Clackline-Toodyay Road, Hoddy Well Road, Salt Valley Road, Chitty Road and Refractory Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing and residents in the area need to leave or get ready to actively defend their homes.
If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear. There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now. Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
A Bushfire Advice has been issued for people in the area south east of Great Eastern Highway, between Chitty Road and Spencers Brook Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
Although there is no immediate danger for people in these areas you need to be aware and keep up to date.
5.35pm: More than 200 homes are without power in the Toodyay area according to Western Power.
A spokesperson for DFES said two structures and around 140 hectares of land has been burnt so far however it has not been confirmed if the burnt structures were homes or sheds.
5:05pm: Western Power have advised the media that the bushfire power is affecting the electricity supply in Toodyay and some areas have lost power.
A bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING remains in place for people in the southern part of Toodyay near Salt Valley Road, Challeon Lane, Panorama View, Hoddy Well Road and Sandplain Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
5:00pm: Air support from Bunbury and Jurien Bay have been called in to Toodyay to assist with fighting the fire. Five helitacs and five fixed wing bombers are reported to be on their way.
4:54pm: A number of bulldozers have been trucked in to help stop the fire spreading and also said fire fighters from Two Rocks have just arrived to help fight the blaze.
4:46pm: The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued another update as follows.
A Bushfire Emergency Warning remains for people in the southern part of Toodyay near Salt Valley Road, Challeon Lane, Panorama View, Hoddy Well Road and Sandplain Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
The fire is burning along both sides of Salt Valley Road and homes on the road are under threat. Any residents in the area are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The bushfire is out of control and unpredictable and is moving fast in a south easterly direction. Burning embers are likely to be blown around nearby homes and spot fires are starting ahead of the fire.
It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly, you need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
Go to a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape. Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you. Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly, you need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
Go to a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape. Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you. Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
If you cannot shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, shed, swimming pool, dam or building where you may go to seek shelter from a bushfire.
This will give you some protection from the effects of a bushfire.
Take water, woollen blankets and wear protective clothing.
A Bushfire Watch and Act has been issued for people in an area bounded by Clackline-Toodyay Road, Hoddy Well Road, Salt Valley Road, Chitty Road and Refractory Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing and residents in the area need to leave or get ready to actively defend their homes.
If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear. There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now. Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
A Bushfire Advice has been issued for people in the area south east of Great Eastern Highway, between Chitty Road and Spencers Brook Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
Although there is no immediate danger for people in these areas you need to be aware and keep up to date.
4:25pm: The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has told the ABC that a number of properties have been lost in the in Toodyay blaze, but hasn't been able to confirm reports so far.
4:20pm: Toodyay Road has now been closed at Clackline Road.
3:45pm: Here's the latest update from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
A Bushfire Emergency Warning remains in place for people in the southern part of Toodyay near Salt Valley Road, Challeon Lane, Panorama View, Hoddy Well Road and Sandplain Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
The fire is burning along Salt Valley Road and homes on the road are under threat. Any residents in the area are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly, you need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
Go to a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape. Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you. Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
The bushfire is out of control and unpredictable and is moving fast in a south easterly direction. Burning embers are likely to be blown around nearby homes.
A Bushfire Watch and Act has also been issued for people in an area bounded by Clackline-Toodyay Road, Hoddy Well Road, Salt Valley Road, Chitty Road and Refractory Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing and residents in the area need to leave or get ready to actively defend their homes.
If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear. There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.
If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now. Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.
If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous.
A Bushfire Advice has been issued for people in the area south east of Great Eastern Highway, between Chitty Road and Spencers Brook Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
Although there is no immediate danger for people in these areas you need to be aware and keep up to date.
Read through your bushfire survival plan and if you do not have a plan decide what you will do if the situation gets worse.
3:33pm: The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has advised media that there will be another update on the fire's situation available in the next 15-20 minutes. We will have it for you here as soon as that happens.
3:25pm: Toodyay Road and Clackline Road have been closed.
3:20pm: Police and emergency services are urging motorists to please avoid the area near the fire.
3:10pm: A journalist from Nine News Perth is reporting that two structures have been engulfed in flames by the fire.
3:08pm: The fire is now burning along Salt Valley Rd, with approximately 100 firefighters are actively fighting the fire and protecting assets in the area.
2:30pm: A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for people in the southern part of Toodyay near Salt Valley Road, Challeon Lane, Panorama View, Hoddy Well Road and Sandplain Road in the Shire of Toodyay.
Homes in Salt Valley Road will be under threat by fire in 20 minutes and residents in the area are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
Firefighters are actively fighting the fire which is burning in bushland west of Salt Valley Road and is burning towards Salt Valley Road.
The bushfire is out of control and unpredictable and is moving fast in a north westerly direction. Burning embers are likely to be blown around homes in the area. The fire was reported at 1.37pm today.
What to do
- It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly.
- You need to shelter in your home and actively defend it.
- Go to a room away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape.
- Choose a room with two exits and water such as a kitchen or laundry.
- You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you.
- Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.
- If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
Place of last resort
If you cannot shelter in your home, a safer place you can go to is a local open space, shed, swimming pool, dam or building where you may go to seek shelter from a bushfire.
This will give you some protection from the effects of a bushfire. Take water, woollen blankets and wear protective clothing.
Safer place
If you are outside the area, a temporary welfare centre has been set up at the Toodyay Town Hall.
Road closures
Avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site. Further road closure information may also be available from Main Roads WA by calling 138 138 or visiting their website.
Keep up to date
Visit the DFES website, call 13 DFES on 13 3337), follow DFES on Twitter @dfes_wa, listen to ABC local radio, or click back to the Avon Valley Advocate's website for the latest updates.