Fire crews are battling a “dangerous” out of control bushfire in the Perth Hills suburb of Wooroloowhich has apparently engulfed three houses, with the fire spreading to encompass parts of Chidlow and Wundowie.
Key points:
- The emergency level fire at Wooroloo is threatening lives and homes
- Parts of nearby Chidlow and Wundowie are on watch and act
- At least one house is thought to have been engulfed
An emergency warning has been issued for the Wooroloo part of the blaze, with people near Burma Road, Bailup Road, Reserve Road, Mayo Road, Needham Road, Linley Valley Road, Werribee Road and McNamara Road in the Shire of Mundaring most at risk.
The fire is burning fast in a north-westerly direction and has jumped across Toodyay Road.
A watch and act level warning is current for people in the vicinity of Lilydale Road, Liberton Road and Toodyay Road in Chidlow and McNamara Road and Burma Road in Wundowie.
The Department of Fire and Emergency [DFES] said residents in the affected Wooroloo area needed to act immediately to survive, and it was too late for people east of Bailup Road to leave.
The WA State Emergency Coordinator said it did not matter that this area was part of the COVID lockdown, if people were not safe they should leave their homes.
Those west of Bailup Road should leave immediately if the way was clear by travelling north along Bailup Road or Mayo Road.
An evacuation centre has been set up at the Brown Park Recreation Complex on Amherst Road in Swan View.
The bushfire is burning out of control in the Perth Hills suburb of Woorooloo.(ABC News)
House ablaze, structure razed
Aerial vision showed at least one house on fire in the area and at least one nearby structure possibly a shed razed.
Incident controller Murray McBride said three houses were believed to have been destroyed and one fire truck had been incinerated.
A firefighter had suffered minor burns but was continuing to help fight the fire, along with about 200 other firefighters, he said.
Mr McBride said the “dangerous” fire was being fanned by strong winds and had burnt through 815 hectares of land so far.
At least one home is ablaze in Wooroloo, where an emergency level bushfire is burning.(ABC News)
About 90 fire trucks were battling the blaze and more crews were headed to the scene.
“It’s very difficult for the crews to control,” he said.
“This is a fast moving fire. Don’t think you can stay home and defend this fire.”
He said spot fires were appearing about 400 metres in front of the main fire, making it very difficult for fire crews, who were expected to continue battling the fire all night.
Several roads in the area have been closed, including:
- Government Road at Needham Road
- Werribee Road at Cheddaring Road
- Bailup Road and Burma Road
The bushfire is out of control and unpredictable, authorities have warned.(ABC News)
Those unable to leave were advised to shelter at home in a room away from the fire front and make sure they could easily escape.
The fire was reported shortly after midday.
Perth experienced hot and windy conditions today, with a forecast maximum of 38 degrees Celsius.
Authorities said Wooroloo Prison Farm was not under threat from the fire.
Wooroloo prison farm is not under threat from the fire, authorities said.(Supplied: DFES)
“There is no immediate threat to the facility and the fire is not burning towards the prison,” a Department of Justice spokesman said.
“The prison’s authorities have deployed two water tankers and staff volunteer firefighters to assist.
“The prison is closely monitoring the situation and liaising with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.”
Western Power said parts of Gidgegannup, Bailup and Wooroloo were without power because of the fire.
It is believed an outbuilding, possibly a shed, has been razed by the Wooroloo bushfire.(ABC News)
Two fires south of Perth
Meanwhile, alerts have been issued for separate blazes burning south of Perth, both of which are currently under control and contained.
A suspicious fire which started in Rockingham near the intersection of Victoria St and Lewington St is being mopped up by firefighters, although authorities have warned people in the area to stay alert.
Another fire, in Anketell, Oakford, Oldbury and Casuarina areas, continues to burn underground in peat material and DFES said firefighters had saved a number of houses and commercial premises.
The cause of that fire is also suspicious and it has so far burnt out 308 hectares.