Over 120 firefighters are battling a dangerous out-of-control bushfire that started Saturday morning north-east of Perth. An emergency warning is in effect for parts of Chittering and Lower Chittering as gusty winds fan the fast-moving blaze that is threatening lives and homes.
The fire broke out mid-morning and has already burned over 120 hectares. Meanwhile, another emergency-level fire is burning further northeast in Bindoon and Mooliabeenee.
The Perth area is enduring a weekend heatwave with temperatures soaring above 40C, severely hindering firefighting efforts. The exceptionally hot, dry and windy conditions have combined to create an extremely volatile and unpredictable fire situation across the state.
There are currently about 34 bushfires burning in Western Australia, significantly more than this time last year.
The Chittering fire started around 9:30 AM Saturday near the intersection of Julimar Road and Chittering Road. The out-of-control blaze quickly spread, burning on both sides of Chittering Road, which had been closed between Julimar Road and Chittering Valley Road.