Perth bushfire: Lives and homes under threat from out-of-control Bedfordale blaze

Updated

An emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire that is threatening lives and homes on Perth's south-eastern fringe after it started in Bedfordale.

The fire burning in a semi-rural area on the eastern side of South Western Highway had been moving fast in a westerly direction, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said.

The fire is now stationary but remains out of control and unpredictable, DFES said.

The emergency warning applies to people east of South Western Highway, south of Rails Crescent and north of Linton Street North in Bedfordale, Wungong and Byford, in the City of Armadale and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

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

"Homes in Rails Crescent and Wungong Close are under threat by fire."

"If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place."

The bushfire has burnt through about 115 hectares so far, fanned by east-south-easterly winds gusting to 40 knots.

About 120 firefighters are continuing to battle the blaze, while aerial support stopped late on Wednesday night to resume at first light on Thursday.

"They're working to contain the fire. We have machinery also attacking the flanks of the fire," DFES incident controller Brad Miles said.

"There's an emergency warning in place for a small area … we've made a decision to leave that emergency warning in place overnight.

"We are confident we can contain and control the fire tonight.

"But given the close proximity of the fire to those communities, if it were to jump containment lines there would be very limited time to react, considering the time of night."

Superintendent Miles said conditions were difficult for crews, notwithstanding the lack of aerial support overnight.

"It's quite hilly, some of it is forested country, some of it is granite-involved, so there's a lot of challenges," he said.

"[But] the conditions are favourable weather-wise. It's cool, there is some rain forecast tomorrow that will have some impact in our favour."

Nearby residents told to leave or get ready to defend

DFES said there had not been any reports of any property loss.

Footage of the fire was earlier aired on television, appearing to show flames higher than trees.

A separate watch-and-act warning is in place for people west of South Western Highway, north of Thomas Road, east of the railway line and south of Cooliabbera Drive and Moore Street in Wungong, Mount Richon and Darling Downs.

Residents there have been told to leave or get ready to actively defend.

The fire started near the intersection of Admiral Road and Albany Highway in Bedfordale and was reported at 4:47pm on Wednesday.

A number of roads have been closed, including South Western Highway, Moore Street, Rails Crescent, Stone Street, Dickens Place and Cooliabberra Drive.

Motorists have been asked to avoid the area.

A temporary evacuation centre has been set up at Armadale Arena on the corner of Townley Street and Forrest Road.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

Arson Squad officers are at the scene, but DFES said it was still too early to say how it started.

The Bureau of Meteorology saying there was a "near 100 per cent" chance of rain over Perth on Thursday, and suggesting there could be up to 25 millimetres.

However, the rain is not expected to arrive until mid-morning.

Topics: bushfire, bedfordale-6112, wa

First posted