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Western Australia bushfire emergency continues as Sydney braces for a smoky Sunday Western Australia bushfire emergency continues as Sydney suffers a smoky Sunday
(about 4 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 NSWTowns 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. Thousands of properties have been saved from a bushfire raging out-of-control north of Perth but authorities say the threat isn’t over. 
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. On Sunday the Yanchep blaze remained at an emergency warning after firefighters protected about 6,000 homes from the near-12,000 hectare blaze burning since Wednesday.
Heat records were expected to be broken in Perth on Sunday as the city braced for a third-consecutive 40C day. One house and a Yanchep service station were confirmed to have been lost.
A forecast wind change for Sunday morning was also expected to make firefighting conditions more difficult. “If you look at where the fires have gone, it is absolutely astonishing that we haven’t lost more than one house,” the emergency services minister Fran Logan told reporters on Sunday.
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. But communities were warned to remain vigilant, with Perth and the fire area forecast to reach 40C for the third day running.
Lives and homes remained under threat at Guilderton, Woodridge, Gabbadah, Wilbinga, Caraban, Seabird, Yeal, Redfield Park, Sovereign Hill, Seatrees and Breakwater Estates. Lives and properties were still 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 Yanchep were also covered by the emergency alert.
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.
A watch-and-act warning also covered parts of Yanchep, Two Rocks, Breton Bay, Seabird, Gabbadah, Wanerie, Ledge Point and Eglinton. “[It’s] reasonably calm at the moment,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Darren Klemm said.
The fire began on Wednesday and authorities feared it could burn for several more days. “But this afternoon we’re going to have both the north and the north-eastern sections of this fire ... come under pressure from the southerly and then the south-westerly wind. The threat hasn’t passed.”
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. Evacuation centres have been set up at the Gumblossom Community Centre at Quinns Rocks and the Granville Civic Centre at Gingin, where community meetings were scheduled.
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. Nearly 260 Two Rocks households had lost power and it was unclear when it would be safe to repair the network. Crews were working to restore power to 12 homes at Yanchep.
Meanwhile, Western Power said it had replaced more than 27 power poles and 5km of lines but more damage was expected. There had been concerns water supplies to some fire-affected areas could be cut off but this had not eventuated. 
An emergency warning was also in place for parts of Yourdamung Lake, north-east of Bunbury. However, internet and mobile phone services had been disrupted at Two Rocks and Yanchep.
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. The Yanchep national Park, Wilbinga conservation park and adjacent state forest remain closed.
Another emergency warning remained in place for a separate blaze at Yourdamung Lake, north-east of Bunbury.
It covered an area bounded by Baroda Road to the north, Norm Road to the south, Collie-Tallanalla Road to the west and Collie-Williams Road to the east.
A watch and act was also in place for the same fire, between Norm Road in the north, Hull Road, Booth Street and Lintoft Road to the south, Harris River Road to the west and Collie-Williams Road to the east.
Meanwhile, in the east of Australia, parts of Sydney experienced 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.