Firefighters are making progress in containing the massive Perth Hills bushfire, which has destroyed 81 homes and burned more than 10,400 hectares of land over four days. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) reported the fire is 90% contained, but large areas remain under emergency warning as the blaze is still out of control.
DFES incident controller Peter Sutton said the hard work of firefighters was paying dividends, though gusty winds up to 70 km/h were expected to put pressure on the northern and western flanks. A separate fire 10 km north of the main Wooroloo fire is now largely contained, but the Shady Hills area remains at highest risk of flare-ups.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan described the devastation as 'almost too much to comprehend' and announced emergency funding of $4,000 for those who lost homes and $2,000 for those with damaged properties. He warned the fire threat was far from over, with volatile conditions expected to continue.
Residents in Shady Hills, east Bullsbrook, and parts of Gidgegannup have been advised it is too dangerous to leave and should shelter in place. The emergency warning covers areas including Aveley, Baskerville, Belhus, Brigadoon, Bullsbrook, Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup, Henley Brook, Millendon, The Vines, Upper Swan, and Walyunga National Park.
One Gidgegannup resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said his home was 'vaporised' by a wall of flames despite fire breaks and cleared trees. He evacuated after realizing the fire's ferocity, believing he would not have survived if he stayed. About 700 homes remain without power, with full restoration expected to take weeks.
