PERTH, Australia (AP) – An out-of-control wildfire burning north-east of the west coast of the Australian city of Perth has reportedly destroyed 30 homes and threatened more on Tuesday, with many residents in the region saying it was too late. is to leave.
The 7,000-acre (17,000-acre) fire, which has a perimeter of 75 kilometers, started Monday and raged through the night near the town of Wooroloo, affecting the barns of Mundaring, Chittering, Northam and the town of Swan.
Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey said more than 30 homes were reportedly destroyed.
“We are just waiting for the numbers to be confirmed, but we are looking for somewhere in the vicinity of more than thirty lost homes,” Bailey said.
According to Bailey, one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries.
Western Australia’s Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Craig Waters, said the fire doubled overnight and burned 7,366 acres (1820 acres) of farm and bushveld.
“Strong winds prevent us from going in and bringing the fire under control and bringing it under control,” he said.
State Prime Minister Mark McGowan said 80% of all properties near Gidgegannup on the north-eastern edge of Perth were lost.
Firefighters will investigate loss of life, he said.
McGowan said a large tanker flew off the east coast of Australia to fight the blaze.
‘This is an extremely dangerous fire and a serious situation. “Weather conditions are extremely variable,” said McGowan.
“Please do everything you can to keep you and your family safe and to look after each other,” he added.
People within 25 kilometers (16 miles) west of Wooroloo to Walyunga National Park northeast of Perth were told on Tuesday that it had become too dangerous to leave their homes.
“You must hide before the fire breaks out, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you,” the latest warning said.
Roads from the semi-rural suburb of The Vines in the northern suburbs of Perth were bumper-to-bumper with traffic, which some people prefer to stay.
Melissa Stahl, 49, responded to a text saying she had to evacuate.
“I could smell the fire and go out the back and the whole garden is full of smoke,” she said. “We grabbed bedding, photos, the two children and the dog and got away there,” she added.
A warning to other endangered areas has prompted people to leave if they are not prepared to fight the fire. The forest fire is unpredictable and the weather conditions are changing rapidly, the warning said, urging people to remain vigilant.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Superintendent Peter Sutton, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, said about 250 firefighters had to contend with erratic fire behavior.
“It made it very difficult, almost impossible … to put out this fire,” Sutton said.
Wildfires are common during the current summer in the Southern Hemisphere. However, the season was mild on the southeast coast of Australia, which was devastated by major fires last summer.