WA homes destroyed by Wooroloo bushfire rises to 86 as second ‘suspicious’ blaze controlled
The number of homes destroyed by a monster blaze burning north-east of Perth has risen to 86, Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has confirmed.
“It shows how devastating this bushfire has been for the people involved,” Mr McGowan said.
He sent his thoughts to those who had lost homes and thanked the firefighters who continued to work on the ground in harsh conditions to control the fire.
Emergency WA said the number of homes and businesses without power in fire impacted areas has risen to 465.
Perth community, volunteers and businesses have rallied to support the number of people displaced, as home after home is threatened or destroyed by the monster blaze.
Coles Swan View, in east Perth, has partnered with the Rapid Relief Team to donate hundreds of bags worth of groceries to fire evacuation centres.
Emergency warnings are still in place for many areas.
“We’ve still got some difficult conditions to get to tonight and into tomorrow,” he said.
“We are expecting incredibly strong winds, stronger than we’ve had.
“There is no letting up here.”
There’s a possibility of rain tomorrow afternoon, but the Commissioner said they were not relying on it.
He said the loss of 86 properties now was an “absolutely devastating outcome for the owners of those homes.”
“Our thoughts are with them,” he said.
Everywhere east of Toodyay Road is now open, and residents can return from 4pm.
He said he was aware residents needed to get back in to check on livestock in the rural area.
Some fires have broken out on the northern flank of the fire, with retardant dropped over the past few days helping crews tackle them.
The Great Northern Highway is now open with speed restrictions in place, as the area west of the road has been downgraded to a Watch and Act.
Emergency WA said the cooler weather conditions means areas east of Reserve Road are no longer under immediate threat.
But people in or around the intersections of Clenton Road, O’Brien Road and Ewing Road have been warned there is still uncontained fire activity.
