Chittering bushfires: Residents in one WA shire told to evacuate immediately as out-of-control blazes rage across the state: ‘There is a threat to lives and homes’
The emergency zone for a bushfire burning northeast of Perth has been expanded and residents have been told to evacuate immediately.
More than 40 bushfires raged across Western Australia on Saturday, with residents in Chittering County, about 60km north of Perth, at risk from the out-of-control blaze, fire authorities said.
‘You are in danger and must act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes,” the fire brigade said on Saturday evening.
Firefighters are struggling to control major blazes as much of the state remains under heat wave warnings.
Gusty winds and scorching temperatures have fueled the fires and a potentially dangerous blaze has broken out near the entrance to RAAF Base Gingin, a facility mainly used for pilot training.
A major bushfire is affecting the WA community of Chittering, northeast of Perth
Residents have been told to evacuate immediately and not to return until they are told it is safe to do so
A watch and action warning was issued for the base and areas to the north and east, due to concerns about changing conditions and homes in the area.
The fire was one of four major fires in the Wanneroo and Chittering areas, where temperatures reached 41 degrees Celsius shortly after 2pm.
Homes and lives continue to be threatened by an out-of-control fire near Chittering, home to 1,000 people, after it destroyed 120 hectares in just hours on Saturday morning.
An emergency warning told those nearby that they were in danger and needed to act immediately to survive.
The warning area expanded to include residential areas of the city and the outskirts of more densely populated Lower Chittering on Saturday afternoon.
“There is a threat to lives and homes,” the warning read.
“Don’t wait, because leaving at the last minute could endanger your life.”
The WA Fire Service issued this warning as the firefighter continued to battle the fire
View and trade alerts and advisory warnings are also active for parts further west of the borough, including part of the Brand Highway.
Residents sheltering in place are advised to choose a room with two exits and water, such as a kitchen or laundry room.
More than 100 professional and volunteer firefighters are on site to fight the fire, supported by air support.
A watch and act alert has also been issued for a westbound bushfire north of Chittering that could threaten rural properties in Bindoon and Mooliabeenee.
A new fire started in the Gnangara-Moore River State Forest near Pinjar
Several fires are burning at advisory levels across Western Australia, including in the coal mining town of Collie, where 80 firefighters battled a blaze that started on Thursday.
Perth reached 40.7 degrees Celsius just before 2.30pm, marking the first day of 40 degrees Celsius in almost two years.
In Marble Bar, where birds have fallen dead from trees in recent days, the mercury reached 47.7 degrees Celsius, marking the 25th consecutive day of above 43 degrees Celsius in the Pilbara city.
The record is 27 days in a row, set in early 2005.