The number of homes confirmed destroyed by a devastating bushfire in the Perth Hills has risen to 86 as fatigued firefighters await forecast weekend rain.
No further properties were lost overnight but officials on Friday confirmed five more burnt-out homes were identified.
Estimates of properties lost in the city’s northeast started at 56 on Tuesday morning. By Wednesday the number had grown to 71 before rising again.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said he did not expect the figure to significantly rise.
“Obviously we’re working with local government and their databases but there’s many parts, as you can imagine, that have been absolutely devastated,” he told Perth radio 6PR.
“It is sometimes difficult to distinguish properties that have been affected by fire, whether they were a shed or a home or what they were.
“That’s the more detailed work that’s being done now by our technicians.”
Emergency alerts remain for Shady Hills View, Bullsbrook’s east and north of Gidgegannup.
“If you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear by travelling in a direction away from the fire,” DFES said.
“You must shelter before the fire arrives as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you.”
Firefighters are continuing to battle strong easterly winds which caused ember attacks overnight in an area east of Shady Hills.
Trees destroyed by bushfire are seen on Dinsdale Road, Gidgegannup in Perth, on 4 February, 2021.
AAP
Hopes are high forecast rain on Saturday afternoon through to Sunday will help firefighters get on top of the week-long blaze.
“We do have all the plans in place to continue dealing with this fire into next week,” Mr Klemm said.
“But if we get some rain Saturday afternoon and Sunday as it’s currently forecast, we certainly would welcome that.”
Premier Mark McGowan on Thursday described the damage as “devastating”.
“We’re all thinking of those who’ve lost their homes. In some cases, their livelihoods,” the premier said.
“The devastation caused by these bushfires is almost too much to comprehend.”
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan speaks at the Incident Control Centre at the Mundaring Arena, Perth, Wednesday on 3 February, 2021.
AAP
DFES Superintendent Peter Sutton said authorities were trying to clear damage from the areas seriously impacted by the blaze so homeowners could return to assess their properties.
“There are quite a lot of hazards in there still,” he said.
“We have powerlines down, we obviously have the issue of asbestos because of the area and also we have issues with chemicals because it is a semi-rural area.
“We just ask people to please be patient.”
