Wooroloo fire: Number of homes destroyed grows as weather conditions set to test fireys

As the Wooroloo bushfire enters its third day homes on Perth’s north eastern fringes remain under direct threat.

The number of homes destroyed since Monday has risen to 71.

So far, the out-of-control fire has burned through more than 9000 hectares of land and devastated a number of hills communities.

It is the worst bushfire disaster since 180 properties were razed, two people died and 69,000ha burnt in the Yarloop fires in 2016.

Hot and windy weather conditions are expected to make the battle to contain the blaze even tougher today, with concerns that wind gusts could push the fire towards Shady Hills Estate in Bullsbrook after 12pm.

The emergency warning area now covers the RAAF base at Pearce. It is unclear if it will be evacuated.

An emergency warning remains in place for parts of The Vines, Bailup, Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup, Milledon, Walyunga National Park, Upper Swan, Aveley, Henley Brook, Avon Valley National Park, Red Hill, Belhus, Baskerville, Herne Hill, Bullsbrook, Wooroloo and Brigadoon.

DFES is asking people in the area to be vigilant and watch the Emergency WA website for updates.

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A watch and act alert is in place for parts of Dayton, Ellenbrook, Gidgegannup, West Swan, Henley Brook, Upper Swan, Brabham, Hovea, Stoneville, Wundowie, Middle Swan, Parkerville, Red Hill, Mount Helena, Jane Brook, Herne Hill, Chidlow and Wooroloo.

"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes," DFES said in its alert.

DFES also warns that for some people "it is too late to leave and leaving now would be deadly".

"There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing.”

DFES Media Liaison Officer Mike Teraci said conditions were working in the firefighters favour last night.

“Weather conditions were favourable for us overnight and crews were able to actively defend and consolidate firelines,” he said.

However today’s weather conditions are expected to test fire crews.

Aerial support will return to help battle the blaze at first light to support the ground crews.

The fire, which started in Wooroloo about midday on Monday, is moving fast and is unpredictable. Burning embers are also likely to be blown around homes, DFES warns.

Yesterday it was revealed 43 homes were torched in the small rural estarte of Tilden Park which bore the brunt of the firestorm.

More than 220 career and volunteer firefighters continue to fight the fire, with crews battling the blaze throughout the night.

Six firefighters were injured as of last night, including one who suffered burns to his ear.

Several of the firefighters, volunteers trying to help their community, have had the heartbreaking experience of watching their own homes burn down whie trying to save their neighbours.

Hundreds of people have been forced to evacuate and have spent the night in alternative accommodation or evacuation centres.

The Department of Communities has set up the following evacuation centres:

• Brown Park Recreation Complex on Amherst Road, near the intersection of Salisbury Road, in Swan View.
• Swan Active Midland - 16 Gray Dr, Midvale WA 6056. 
• Swan Active Beechboro - 332 Benara Road, Beechboro.

The fire danger in the Perth Hills is very high today, with winds becoming south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the late morning, and shifting south to southwesterly 35 to 40 km/h over western and northern suburbs during the afternoon.

Winds will then become southeasterly 25 to 40 km/h in the late afternoon and evening, with gusts to 70km/h possible about the hills and foothills.