Lives and homes threatened as bushfires tear through Western Australia

Several fires were also burning at advice level across WA, including near York east of Perth and at Marble Bar in the state's north-west. Photo / Instagram / Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA.

Out-of-control fires are threatening homes and lives north of Perth, with residents told to act immediately to survive.

An emergency warning was issued on Sunday for Bindoon, Lennard Brook, Mooliabeenee and Moondah, 60km north of the city, as severe heat intensified fires across Western Australia.

“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said.

“There is a threat to lives and homes.”

Bushfire watch and act warnings were also issued for Gingin, Chittering and Bambun to Perth’s north.

Residents not prepared to stay and defend their homes were told to leave immediately if the way was clear.

12:12 PM -Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for BINDOON, LENNARD BROOK, MOOLIABEENEE and MOONDAH in the SHIRES OF CHITTERING and GINGIN: https://t.co/ZSEIQDbkiJ

— DFES (@dfes_wa) January 14, 2024

Several fires were also burning at advice level across WA, including near York east of Perth and at Marble Bar in the state’s northwest.

Homes and an RAAF base in Perth’s north were threatened on Saturday afternoon when fires broke containment lines amid intense heat.

The blaze broke out near the entrance to RAAF Base Gingin, a facility primarily used for pilot training.

It was one of four significant fires in the Wanneroo and Chittering areas, where temperatures cracked 41C just after 2pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology expected severe heatwave conditions to persist into the coming week across much of the state, including Perth and the rest of the southwest.

Perth is forecast to reach a maximum of 38C on Sunday, slightly cooler than the 40.7C recorded on Saturday.

It was the city’s first 40C day in almost two years.

Marble Bar, which topped 47C on Saturday, was predicted to reach a maximum of 46C, which would make it the Pilbara town’s 26th consecutive 43C-plus day.

- AAP