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Western Australia bushfire emergency continues as Sydney braces for a smoky Sunday | Western Australia bushfire emergency continues as Sydney braces for a smoky Sunday |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Towns north of Perth threatened by out-of-control blazes as mercury set to hit 40C for third day, and 111 fires continue to burn in NSW | |
Thousands of properties have been saved from a bushfire burning out-of-control north of Perth in Western Australia but lives and homes remain under threat. | |
The fire near Yanchep has destroyed nearly 12,000 hectares, with about 400 firefighters battling to bring it under control ahead of another day of scorching temperatures. | |
Heat records were expected to be broken in Perth on Sunday as the city braced for a third-consecutive 40C day. | |
A forecast wind change for Sunday morning was also expected to make firefighting conditions more difficult. | |
More than 6,000 homes have been saved, but confirmed losses so far include one house and a Yanchep service station. About 275 homes have also lost power because of the fire, Western Power says. | |
Lives and homes remained under threat at Guilderton, Woodridge, Gabbadah, Wilbinga, Caraban, Seabird, Yeal, Redfield Park, Sovereign Hill, Seatrees and Breakwater Estates. | |
Parts of Beermujllah, Muckenburra, Wanerie, Two Rocks, Neergabby and Yanchap were also covered by the emergency alert. | |
A watch-and-act warning also covered parts of Yanchep, Two Rocks, Breton Bay, Seabird, Gabbadah, Wanerie, Ledge Point and Eglinton. | |
The fire began on Wednesday and authorities feared it could burn for several more days. | |
Evacuation centres were set up at the Gumblossom Community Centre and Granville Civic Centre, where community meetings were set to be held at 10am and 2.30pm, respectively. | |
Water supplies to Woodridge risked being cut off, while residents at Two Rocks and Yanchep had been hit with disruptions to internet and mobile phone services. | |
Meanwhile, Western Power said it had replaced more than 27 power poles and 5km of lines but more damage was expected. | |
An emergency warning was also in place for parts of Yourdamung Lake, north-east of Bunbury. | |
Meanwhile, in the east of Australia, Sydney was set for another hazy day from bushfire smoke blown across the city, while firefighters braced for worsening conditions as New South Wales heated up. | Meanwhile, in the east of Australia, Sydney was set for another hazy day from bushfire smoke blown across the city, while firefighters braced for worsening conditions as New South Wales heated up. |
Temperatures could reach the high 40s in the west of the state by Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology said. | Temperatures could reach the high 40s in the west of the state by Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology said. |
There were 111 fires burning across the state on Saturday night, 60 of them not contained. | There were 111 fires burning across the state on Saturday night, 60 of them not contained. |
Some 1,500 firefighters were tackling the blazes and there was no let-up on the horizon, Greg Allan from the RFS said. | Some 1,500 firefighters were tackling the blazes and there was no let-up on the horizon, Greg Allan from the RFS said. |
“We will see conditions deteriorate with worsening weather early into mid-next week. We’re going to be seeing a lot more higher temperatures across the state,” he said. | “We will see conditions deteriorate with worsening weather early into mid-next week. We’re going to be seeing a lot more higher temperatures across the state,” he said. |
Places such as Cobar, Broken Hill and Griffith were predicted to see temperatures above 40C in the coming week, the Bureau of Meteorology said. | Places such as Cobar, Broken Hill and Griffith were predicted to see temperatures above 40C in the coming week, the Bureau of Meteorology said. |
Total fire bans were issued for the central ranges, northern slopes and north-western areas amid very high fire danger ratings on Sunday and more bushfire smoke would affect the Sydney basin, the fire service said. | Total fire bans were issued for the central ranges, northern slopes and north-western areas amid very high fire danger ratings on Sunday and more bushfire smoke would affect the Sydney basin, the fire service said. |
“Smoke from fires burning on the outskirts of Sydney will settle across the Sydney basin again overnight and tomorrow,” the RFS tweeted on Saturday evening. | “Smoke from fires burning on the outskirts of Sydney will settle across the Sydney basin again overnight and tomorrow,” the RFS tweeted on Saturday evening. |
“There is a possibility the smoke will clear slightly but remaining dense throughout the day. | “There is a possibility the smoke will clear slightly but remaining dense throughout the day. |
The Ruined Castle fire in the Blue Mountains remained at watch and act level on Saturday night. | The Ruined Castle fire in the Blue Mountains remained at watch and act level on Saturday night. |
Some 724 homes, 49 facilities and 1,582 outbuildings had been destroyed so far this fire season. Six people have died and 2.7 million hectares have been scorched. | Some 724 homes, 49 facilities and 1,582 outbuildings had been destroyed so far this fire season. Six people have died and 2.7 million hectares have been scorched. |