A Bridgetown local is in a serious condition in hospital and properties and businesses have been destroyed in the 'hellish' blazes raging near Bridgetown and Denmark as Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson warned the situation remained dire.
The man suffered burns while trying to the fight the fire on his property.
Fires have destroyed properties and businesses in the SW.Credit: DFES
DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm said four homes as well as other structures had been destroyed in the fire near Denmark.
In Bridgetown, rapid assessment teams have identified one house as destroyed and damage to the golf course in Bridgetown, a number of shire facilities and a timber business.
More than 250 firefighters are still battling the out of control bushfires which have now burned through around 5000 hectares.
A third large air tanker arrived in Perth last night to help weary crews while personnel from NSW will arrive later today.
Fires have destroyed properties and businesses in the SW.
As Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm were preparing to hold a press conference at noon on Sunday regarding the twin infernos, an emergency warning went out for residents living near Bruce Rock and Corrigan.
Emergency warnings remain in place for parts of Bridgetown, Greenbushes, Hester and Hester Brook as well as parts of Shadforth and Scotsdale in the Shire of Denmark.
DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm said it’s been extremely challenging over the past 48 hours.
In Denmark he said rapid damage assessment teams identified four homes that have been destroyed as well as a number of outbuildings including chalets and sheds.
“One of the challenges of the Denmark fire since it started on Friday was a significant breakout in the NE corner that we will be unable to get machinery in to,” he said.
A fire is threatening lives and homes near Bridgetown. Credit: Little Hill Farm Bridgetown
“In relation to Bridgetown it spread rapidly in particularly difficult conditions which made that fire incredibly difficult to control.
“Teams are out in Hester now but we have initial reports that indicate damage to the golf course in Bridgetown, the shire depot, the shire waste facility and one house. Timber Treaters in Hester has suffered significant damage.”
Mr Klemm said the back up team from NSW will operate in a “bubble”.
Adam Roebuck from Little Hill Farm in Bridgetown said his family and others evacuated early on Saturday afternoon to the other side of the river.
He said he felt fortunate the property was spared from the inferno.
“We had a fire plan in place, and it worked well,” he said.
“We got our first notice at 1pm to evacuate and because our farm is quite elevated we could see how serious it was and time to get out.
“It’s as real as you see on TV.
Fires have destroyed properties and businesses in the SW.Credit: Little Hill Farm Bridgetown
“What has been obvious is that there probably going to be a loss of livestock and we’re hoping everyone is okay and insured.”
At the height of the fire the Bridgetown Hospital emergency department was closed. It has now reopened.
Western Power said 2500 customers in the South West and Great Southern are without power due to this bushfire
A community meeting will be held at the Bridgetown Recreation Centre at 1pm on Sunday.
A community meeting will be held at 2pm on Sunday in Denmark.
Mr Dawson said despite the milder conditions there would be no reprieve for firefighters today.
“Though it appears the weather may be easing for parts of the State, the situation in the emergency warning areas continues to remain dire,” he said.