A bushfire raging in Perth’s north since Wednesday could remain out-of-control for several days more and the State’s top firefighter has warned the damage bill could escalate.
Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said more than 6000 homes had been saved so far but there were difficult times ahead.
He said gusts of 50km/h expected later on Saturday would make already tough conditions extremely difficult.
A bushfire emergency warning has been issued for Guilderton, Two Rocks, Woodridge and areas nearby.
Mr Klemm said residents in Woodridge were under particular threat because the fire was heading in that direction.
“Today we’re faced with extremely difficult conditions for fire,” he said.
“We knew we were going to have problems on Saturday and Sunday.
“The fire is moving at a rapid rate to the north-east and as you’ve seen with the wind conditions we’ve got here today it’s going to be difficult for us to pull that fire up before we get into nightfall tonight.
“Today and tomorrow are going to be particularly challenging and people need to be aware things could escalate from here in terms of the damage.”
Bushfires in Perth’s north have burnt out more than 11,000 hectares with residents warned to expect conditions to get worse. Credit: The West Australian, Sarah Steger
About 230 career and volunteer firefighters are battling to contain the fire which has already burnt out 11000 hectares and the Yanchep petrol station as well as several structures around it.
“We’ve seen some outstanding work being done by those crews on the ground…some great saves in Two Rocks the other night, over 6,000 homes have been saved thus far.
“But we’ve got some difficult times ahead of us, we shouldn’t lose sight of that.”
Mr Klemm said it may be several more days until the fire was brought under control, likely to be with a cooler change in weather conditions for Perth.
People in Guilderton and Woodridge have been told to leave now in an easterly direction towards Indian Ocean Drive and use Gingin Brook Road to travel towards Gingin as fire is approaching the area.
It is not safe to leave for people in Seatrees and Breakwater Estates.
Guilderton and Woodridge residents should leave now in an easterly direction towards Indian Ocean Drive and use Gingin Brook Road to travel towards Gingin as fire is approaching the area. It is not safe to leave for people in Seatrees and Breakwater Estates.
Weary residents gathered at an evacuation centre in Quinns Rocks. Credit: The Sunday Times, Justin Benson-Cooper.
On Friday night, 60 people stayed at a temporary evacuation centre set up by the Department of Communities at Gumblossom Community Centre in Quinns Rocks, while 100 people stayed at the Granville Civic Centre in Gingin.
The fire bearing down on towns including Guilderton — a small coastal town 160km north of Perth — has led to normally packed caravan parks being almost deserted.
Guilderton Caravan Park manager Geoffrey Liddelow confirmed on Saturday there had been mass cancellations in recent days.
“We should have about 600 people in the park, at the moment I’ve got about 30,” Mr Liddelow said.
“Obviously we’ve had a lot of cancellations but it’s only because people can’t get up here.
“It’s just one of those things mate. Safety always comes first.”
Mr Liddelow said he planned to stay at the park.
“We’ve got a massive river on one side of us and the ocean on the other side and there’s not much to burn in the middle here,” he said.
Phil Hickey | PerthNow
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/bushfires/firefighters-save-6000-homes-in-bushfire-inferno-but-threat-continues-north-of-perth-ng-b881411389z
