Hot and dry conditions are again keeping fire crews in Western Australia busy and on high alert as they deal with several bushfires across the state.
Key points:
- Five houses have been lost in bushfires in Perth this week
- Authorities are worried about continued hot, windy weather
- They are urging people to have bushfire plans ready
Two of the most recent fires to threaten lives and homes on the outskirts of Perth have been contained, but more hot and windy weather is on the way.
Authorities say up to 40 homes were saved in the Keysbrook bushfire on Friday, but two uninhabited properties were lost in the blaze.
More than 100 firefighters remain at the fireground in Perth’s south to continue to strengthen containment lines ahead of expected strong winds on Saturday night.
‘Long and difficult summer’ ahead
Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) incident controller Russell Wells said the forecast was a concern.
“The easterly winds will put a lot of pressure on the western side of the fire,” Mr Wells said.
“Our concern would be, should those easterlies pick up and carry burning material across our containment lines, then potentially we could see a breakout of the fire.
“Yesterday 2kph was the rate of spread that we were seeing, so if we were to have that happen again today or tomorrow obviously there would be a further threat to the community.”
Mr Wells said it was not the first time he had seen multiple emergency-level bushfires threaten the community.
“Certainly it’s an indication that certainly it’s going to be a long and difficult summer,” he said.
“We’re definitely not out of the woods.”
Firefighters have tackled seven critical bushfires across Western Australia in the past two days, with residents urged to prepare their homes as authorities warn of difficult weather over Christmas.
As well as the loss of property at Keystone, three homes were destroyed in Parkerville on Thursday.
Mr Wells said this week’s events has shown the importance of having a bushfire plan.
‘If it’s ridiculous to stay, I’ll go’
Keysbrook resident Sue Mead was quick to act when the emergency warning came through on Friday.
She knew exactly what her plan was.
“This is the set of sprinklers I had on yesterday in case the fire changed. That just wets the perimeter and with the green grass, hopefully it will stop the fire and save the house,” she said.
The former firefighter has lived in the area her whole life and said leaving home would be a last resort.
“I would stay and defend because I’ve got four pet sheep that are my life,” she said.
“If it’s ridiculous to stay I’ll go, but I’ll try and take my pet sheep with me.”
The fire came within metres of Ben Van Viersen’s property north of Dandalup, south of Perth.
The ground was burnt around a playground which belonged to his young daughter.
Mr Van Viersen was out fishing at the time, but a tradesman working at the property turned on the sprinklers to help save the home.
He said when he returned to the house he felt both scared and relieved because he “got away with it”.
“I won’t let it happen again because I’m going to put a big break around the house.”
Mr Van Viersen said it was the first time a bushfire had come onto his property since he moved in four years ago, but he was forced to evacuate when a blaze threatened the area months earlier.
Visit Emergency WA, call DFES on 133 337, follow DFES on Twitter or listen to ABC Local Radio to stay up to date.