Two bushfire warnings are in effect for Perth, with blazes burning to the south and south-east of the greater metropolitan area.
Key points:
- Two bushfires are currently burning near Perth at emergency warning level
- One affects southern suburbs including The Spectacles, Orelia, Medina, Naval Base, Postans, Kwinana Beach and Hope Valley
- Another fire is believed to be burning on both sides of the Tonkin Highway in Gosnells
The most recent emergency warning is for people travelling on Tonkin Highway between Albany Highway and Mills Road East, and in surrounding areas in parts of Gosnells and Martin.
An earlier emergency warning is still in place for people in an area bounded by McLaughlan Road, Thomas Road, the coast, Hogg Road and Hope Valley Road.
It spans parts of the suburbs of The Spectacles, Orelia, Medina, Naval Base, Postans, Kwinana Beach and Hope Valley.
Due to hazardous fumes in the area, people in an area bounded by Beard Road to the north, Rockingham Road to the west, Thomas Road to the south and the coast have been told to shelter in place.
People in both areas are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes.
Both blazes are out of control and unpredictable.
It is believed the fire in Gosnells is burning on both sides of Tonkin Highway.
The blaze south of Perthstarted near the intersection of Thomas Road and Gilmore Avenue in Orelia.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) district officer Adrian Hamill told the ABC that authorities were ramping up their attack on the fire.
“It’s moving through some bushland mostly but it’s headed towards some heavy infrastructure,” he said.
Mr Hamill said crews were hoping to contain the blaze before it reached the nearby Perth Motorplex.
DFES said the fire front was burning in an east-south-easterly direction at 1 kilometre per hour.
A bushfire watch and act is in place for people in an area bounded by the Mandurah Rail Line, Wellard Road, Mandurah Road, Mason Road, Leath Road and Thomas Road in parts of Parmelia, Calista, Orelia, Medina, Kwinana Town Centre, East Rockingham and Kwinana Beach.
Conditions are changing and there is a possible threat to lives and homes.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said the fire was moving fast in a north-north-westerly direction and is out of control and unpredictable.
It has closed a number of roads in the area, including parts of Thomas Road, Abercrombie Road and Rockingham Road.
Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.
DFES said about 70 hectares have been burnt so far.
Wundowie fire remains at watch and act level
This man and his truck were encircled by flames near Wundowie on Saturday January 2.
Meanwhile, a fire that threatened the small country town of Wundowie yesterday has been contained but is not yet under control.
A watch and act remains in place for the fire, for people in an area bounded by Coates Road, Oyston Road, Douglas Road to Chedaring Road, Doys Road and north of Burma Road.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said the blaze started near the intersection of Great Eastern Highway and Inkpen Road and was reported early yesterday afternoon.
About 900 homes in the area remain without power as crews work to restore infrastructure damaged by the fire.
Around 150 firefighters are continuing to battle the stationary blaze.
A number of roads in the area have been closed, including parts of Great Eastern Highway, Hawke Avenue, Werribee Road and Coates Road.
The fire at Wundowie forced road closures on Saturday.(ABC News: Keane Bourke)
A third fire that started on Saturday morning in Red Gully has been downgraded to advice.
DFES said while there was still a lot of smoke in the area, the bushfire was now stationary, contained and under control.
“Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes,” a warning said.
It has burnt through 1,530 hectares since it started near the intersection of Mogumber Road West and the Brand Highway.
A number of roads in the area remain closed.