Lives and homes are under threat in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs and in the city’s north-east as two fast-moving bushfires reach emergency warning level.
Residents in parts of Kenwick, Wattle Grove, Maddington and Beckenham have been told to leave, as have those in parts of Upper Swan and Bullsbrook, on the city’s eastern fringe.
Firefighters respond to the fire tearing through bushland in Kenwick. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
The total area under threat in the Kenwick fire is about 50 hectares, and a Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) spokesman said it was believed some “outside structures” had been lost.
The bushfire is moving in an easterly direction, and DFES says homes on Bickley and Boundary Roads are under threat.
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Infernos could be seen flaring up in bushland near powerlines across the road from homes and other buildings, with fires sparking just metres away from vehicles.
Aerial support planes and helicopters flew through over the area to aid firefighting efforts, contending with thick plumes of smoke blanketing the sky.
The fire area has since been expanded to include two Watch and Act areas, one in Orange Grove and the other in Beckenham, on opposite sides of the emergency warning area.
A number of roads in the area are closed including Wanaping Road and Bickley Road.
Firefighters are battling the blaze. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
The temperature in Perth had reached 30 degrees Celsius by midday today, with a high fire danger forecast.
Aerial support has been sent to the fire, which was first reported at 12:12pm.
Flames engulfed trees as a fire threatened properties in Perth’s south east. (ABC News)
The ABC understands Rehoboth Christian College is being evacuated, with the fire burning in the adjacent Kenwick Wetlands.
Rehoboth, and the adjacent East Kenwick Primary School, are both within the emergency warning area.
A ball of fire could be seen rising from the fire zone in Kenwick. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
The area is a mix of semi-rural properties, suburban homes and businesses.
The fire is impacting traffic on Roe Highway and Tonkin Highway, and is being fanned by south-westerly winds.
A fire has broken out in the south-eastern Perth suburb of Kenwick. (Supplied)
Plumes of thick smoke and walls of flame could be seen from an aerial view of the fire captured via helicopter.
Perth Airport, which is nearby, confirmed no flights had been impacted at this stage.
Local woman Jennie has lived in the area for 20 years.
Jennie lives close to the fire in Kenwick. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
“Standing here it’s scary,” she said.
“I’m amazed to see the height of the fire.
“Have seen a couple of fires, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this extreme.”
Second emergency fire
Meanwhile, a second emergency warning was issued shortly after 2pm for residents in an area east of Great Northern Highway in Bullsbrook and Upper Swan.Â
The northern edge of the bushfire is not far from RAAF Pearce, WA’s main air force base.
An emergency warning was issued for a fire burning in Bullsbrook and Upper Swan in Perth’s north-east. (ABC News)
This fire is moving in a north-easterly direction, and lives and homes are also under threat.
Bushland has been charred right up to the boundary of a demolition and salvage yard, with heavy machinery seen digging containment lines right next to flames.
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A Watch and Act area has also been added north of the emergency warning zone.
The Bullsbrook fire was upgraded to emergency on Thursday afternoon. (Supplied)
Aerial support is also helping fight this fire, with helitankers having to be diverted from the Kenwick blaze.
The Bullsbrook bushfire was burning along the Darling Scarp. (ABC News: Lauren Smith)
At 2:26pm authorities issued a Watch and Act warning for a third fire, this one in the Quellington area, north of York in WA’s Wheatbelt, about 100 kilometres east of Perth.
Roads in the area are closed and firefighters are on the scene, with residents of the rural area asked to monitor conditions.
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