A bushfire threatening lives and homes in Perth’s hills has been upgraded to emergency level and authorities say strong gusts of wind are fanning the blaze.
An emergency warning is in place for an area that includes Herne Hill, Red Hill, Millendon and Baskerville, in the City of Swan.
People bound by Haddrill Road to the north, Campersic Road to the west, Neuman Road to the south and Red Hill Quarry to the east are being urged to leave in a westerly direction if the way is clear.
The blaze was reported at about 12:40pm on Tuesday near Toodyay Road in Gidgegannup.
The fire is not contained or controlled and is moving in a westerly direction.
The fire has caused a large plume of smoke, which is visible from across the Perth metro area.
It’s understood the smoke has caused delays at Perth Airport, with some flights unable to take off.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Acting Superintendent, Paul Postma, said the blaze is moving quickly.
“We’ve got some strong, gusty winds up here on the scarp that are pushing it in a very fast manner,” he told ABC Radio Perth.
“We’ve got approximately 120 firefighters who are actively fighting the fire.
“We’ve got some heavy machinery that are cutting fire breaks and looking to put some containment lines in, and we’re being supported by a number of aircraft which are actively undertaking aerial suppression on the bushfire.”
An evacuation centre has been set up at the Brown Park Recreation Complex on Salisbury Road in Swan View.
Visit Emergency WA, call DFES on 133 337, follow DFES on Twitter or listen to ABC Local Radio to stay up to date.
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