Wooroloo fire LIVE: 81 homes now lost to monster bushfire
What we know so far
- The fire has claimed 81 homes, but firefighters managed to save properties in the Avon Ridge Estate, around the Great Northern Highway and Shady Hills overnight.
- More than 500 firefighters are on the scene with aerial support.
- The fire is out of control and unpredictable in difficult weather conditions. The total perimeter of the fire now stretches 126 kilometres.
- Close to 10,463 hectares of bushland has been burned and DFES is aware of the ignition point of the blaze.
- Three evacuation centres have now been set up.
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Police report no looting overnight
By Heather McNeill
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said there had been no reports of looting in the evacuated fire zones overnight.
It follows two home burglaries reported in Aveley and Red Hill on Wednesday.
“We will continue to patrol and continue to respond to any requests,” he said.
Mr Dawson also reiterated what he said yesterday, that investigations into the cause of the fire had not uncovered any criminal activity.
Firefighters continue their work today.Credit:DFES
About 260 firefighters remain on the ground
By Heather McNeill
DFES commissioner Darren Klemm said Shady Hills Estate – which was expected to bear the brunt of the fire front overnight – was saved by the hard work of firefighters.
“I can happily say that the strategies that were put in place using large air tankers, two extensive retardant lines were laid to the southern part of Shady Hills Estate, and what occurred last night was the fire extended across the river to the north and ran into those retardant lines and was halted by those retardant lines,” he said.
81 homes have now been lost. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola
“We also had the fire extend on the northern flank, on the southern side of the river, but east of Shady Hills Estate.
“It’s that particular area now that’s causing us some problems as we stand here today.”
Mr Klemm said strong winds were also hampering efforts and had grounded fixed-wing water bombers, but the air tankers were still operational.
About 260 firefighters remain on the ground fighting the blaze and additional crews from interstate are on standby.
People who lost their homes within the Shire of Mundaring and Swan will be escorted to their properties today once the area has been made safe.
State financial assistance for those impacted by fires
By Aja Styles
Mr McGowan appealed to West Australians to donate to the Lord Mayor’s Disasters Relief Fund after having donated $2 million from government coffers.
Mr McGowan said every resident who lost a home would receive $4000 from the state government, and those with damaged homes would receive $2000, on top of Commonwealth assistance.
He also said people in need of urgent welfare assistance should contact the disaster response hotline on 1800 032 965.
81 homes destroyed in fires
By Aja Styles
Premier Mark McGowan has delivered the bad news that 10 more houses have been destroyed above yesterday’s total of 71.
He praised fire efforts to prevent the destruction of Shady Hills Estate overnight.
“After a bleak couple of days we’ve had some positive news,” Mr McGowan said.
“This is truly remarkable achievement due to ferocity of fires, with no additional homes lost overnight.
“But the total has been assessed at 81.”
Shady Hills estate under emergency warning
By Marta Pascual Juanola
Reporter Marta Pascual Juanola is at Shady Hills View.
People in the Shady Hills Estate areas are under an emergency warning, with advice from DFES that it’s too late to leave now, leaving would be deadly.
Fire trucks and tankers have been dispatched to different hills in the area, at the ready in case wind fans the flames towards the estate, she reports.
There are still cows, sheep and alpaca left at some properties, but most residents appear to have left.
No flames can be seen from the estate where firefighters dropped several tonnes of retardant on the ridge yesterday afternoon in a bid to slow the advance of the fire and prevent it from jumping the Avon River.
The Wooroloo fire.Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola
Despite a bleak outlook yesterday, titanic efforts managed to keep the bushfire at bay and protect the estate.
Western Power has advised that around 800 homes and businesses are without power in the fire impacted area
Two air tankers now supporting firefighters
By Hamish Hastie
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says two large Commonwealth air tankers are now assisting in the fight against the Woorooloo bushfire.
Speaking to press in Canberra this morning, he said state and federal officials met yesterday to work out the logistics of providing another tanker from NSW to help the bushfire fight.
“There are two large air tankers that will be assisting with fighting the fire in Western Australia, under the National Aerial Firefighting Arrangements,” he said.
The firefront near Shady Hills estate. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola
“Those arrangements ensure that those large tankers and other assets, which are either owned by states or shared between states, [are] deployed in accordance with the expert advice of where they need to be.
“Other issues regarding further reagent, and those sorts of things, are also addressed through that process.“
The air tankers have been critical in dropping retardant lines that prevent the spread of the fire.
Mr Morrison said the Commonwealth was working closely with the Western Australian government.
Vision from inside the Wooroloo fire
Bushfire moving slowly in a north westerly direction
The bushfire is uncontained and out of control with a perimeter of 136 kilometres.
It is moving slowly in a north westerly direction.
Authorities warn of burning embers blowing around homes, and there may be a risk of spot fires starting up to 100 metres ahead of the fire.
The Wooroloo fire at 7.11am Thursday.Credit:DFES
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The Wooroloo fire at 7.11am Thursday.Credit:DFES
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Aerial support has resumed. The large air tanker will continue laying lines of fire retardant in the area to assist with slowing down the fire.
More than 500 firefighters are at the scene.
Western Power, police, local government representatives, Main Roads, St John Ambulance, and SES volunteers are also in attendance.
Smoke alert
A Smoke Alert has been issued for communities and suburbs to the north of Gnangara Road and Ocean Reef Road.
The smoke is not expected to clear for another several days.
Smoke will not clear for several days.Credit:DFES
WHAT TO DO:
- Be extremely careful when driving through the area.
- Turn your headlights on and drive slowly.
- Watch for emergency services personnel and follow their directions.
- If you cannot see clearly, pull over, keep your headlights and hazard lights on, and wait until the smoke clears.
- If you have a respiratory condition and you have been affected by smoke you should contact your local doctor or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
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