Eagle Bay fires: Arson squad preparing to investigate Eagle Bay fire ground

The arson squad is preparing to investigate the massive blaze which trapped hundreds of people in towns near Busselton.

As many as 800 people will be evacuated by authorities from the Bunker Bay and Eagle Bay communities on Tuesday afternoon after they became trapped by road closures in an emergency fire warning zone covering large swathes of the region.

More than 200 hectares have been razed by the out-of-control fire since it ignited on Monday night.

Whilst the cause of the blaze is still unknown the arson squad will examine the area once it has been made safe by firefighters.

A DFES spokesman said it was standard practice for the arson squad to be involved in determining the cause of fires this large.

WA Police and firefighters will coordinate an “assisted evacuation” for people currently trapped in the area.

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The evacuation from two community safe points — Eagle Bay Community Hall and The Pullman Bunker Bay Resort — began at 4pm.

DFES incident controller Blake Moore said a south-easterly wind change was posing a further risk to the Eagle Bay townsite.

Mr Moore said the cause of the blaze is still unknown but authorities said had identified an “inaccessible” area they believe it ignited in.

A large air water tanker is helping 150 firefighters battling the blaze on the ground.