Rain expected to provide relief as Perth Hills fires declared catastrophe
Some relief is in sight as firefighters continue to battle an out-of-control blaze northwest of Perth which has now been declared a catastrophe.
Some relief is in sight for firefighters battling a bushfire in Western Australia however it isn’t expected to extinguish the blaze which has burned down 86 homes.
Warning levels were on Saturday lowered to “watch and act” for the Wooroloo which fire continues to burn in the Perth Hills area, northwest of Perth.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) have declared the fire, which has covered the Perth region in a thick smoke, a catastrophe.
Warnings remains in place residents for the Avon Valley National Park, Brigadoon, Bullsbrook, Gidgegannup, Upper Swan and Walyunga National Park.
“Please note the Emergency Warning area has been downgraded to a Watch and Act,” the Department of Fire and Emergencies said.
“The bushfire is largely contained and controlled, except for a small area of within the containment lines south of the Clenton Road area. People in or around Clenton Road, O’Brien Road and Ewing Road need to be aware that there is still active fire in the area.
“A large number of suburbs are no longer in the bushfire warning area, however the situation may change quickly.”
The fire has been burning since Monday and has now burned over 10,000 hectares and some parts of it remain raging despite backburning efforts.
A tropical low moving down the West Australian coast is expected to bring rain to the fireground on Saturday however it isn’t expected to extinguish the blaze.
Rain is forecast for Perth for Saturday afternoon and evening but it is expected to be patchy with falls of 8-15mm.
It is also expected to bring with it strong winds however heavier falls of 20-40mm are forecast for Sunday.
Firefighters say they have been hampered by difficult conditions during the six-day battle with the blaze.
“The wind is expected to cast towards 50 to 60km/h as we deal with the tropical low moving from the north,” Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said.
“We expect light rain to commence early this afternoon but the really heavy rain that will really help us with the fire won’t occur until later this evening and into tomorrow.
The ICA said they had received over 270 claims of fire damage and estimated that there had been over $40 million in property damage.
“This is expected to rise over the coming days as residents return to their homes,” the ICA said.
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