Wildfire in Perth, Australia destroys at least 10 homes; residents evacuated
A wildfire on the northern outskirts of Perth, Australia, has led to the evacuation of numerous residents and the destruction of at least 10 homes amid uncontrolled conditions.
No fatalities have been reported, but several firefighters sustained minor injuries, including smoke inhalation. The fire, which began in a pine tree plantation on Wednesday, was exacerbated overnight by strong 60-kilometer (37-mile) per hour winds.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, and temperatures in Perth were expected to peak at an unusually high 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Thursday.
“Perth is experiencing … heat wave conditions. So overlay that on top of the fire and you can imagine the conditions that our firefighters and our support staff are working on. It’s really challenging,” Kuchel told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
“Whilst we’re building containment lines on this fire, the conditions and the environment are such that even if we contain it, it may not be contained all the time. There may be breakouts. So it’s a really challenging and dynamic environment.”
Power poles suffered damage, leaving 544 homes without electricity on Thursday. Approximately 130 individuals sought shelter in an evacuation center overnight on Wednesday, according to Western Australia Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti.
“The forecast for today is unforgiving. The temperature is expected to hit a maximum of 40 degrees, and the winds continue to be strong. Today will be a difficult day for everybody.”
Klemm mentioned that it would take several days for the 150 firefighters combatting the blaze to gain control over it.
In Tapping, a northern suburb of Perth, Sarah Kilian and her husband chose to remain and protect their home throughout Wednesday night. Kilian noted that the majority of her neighbors evacuated as embers descended on their homes.
“Lucky my hubby stomped them out,” Kilian said. “It was just scary all night — absolutely chaotic.”
Numerous wildfires have swept through New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania in the wake of Australia experiencing its driest September on record and unseasonably warm conditions, leading to an early onset of the annual wildfire season that typically peaks during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
