Keysbrook: Heartache as more homes are lost to out-of-control bushfires in WA

Firefighters are battling multiple blazes in Western Australia as authorities warn of ‘tougher’ days ahead over the Christmas period.

Seven emergency-level fires have destroyed homes and ripped through bushland, rural properties and suburbs on the outskirts of Perth over the past three days.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said strong gusts of wind had driven the fires to catastrophic levels.

He warned the threat would persist over the Christmas holidays.

“We’re still in for some tough weather as we head out on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday,” he told reporters on Friday.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said strong, gusty winds had driven the fires to catastrophic levels (Photo: Bushfires in Wanneroo, Perth)

On Saturday, the weather bureau issued an extreme fire danger warning for the Burrup district, northwest of Karratha.

“Fresh west to northwest winds and warm conditions will lead to increased fire danger,” the warning read.

A strong wind warning is in effect for the coastal areas of the Pilbara, Perth, Bunbury and Leeuwin.

Heatwave conditions in some parts of the state are easing, with the worst of the extreme heat now pushing into the NT.

But the weather bureau says severe heatwave warnings will be in effect for WA for some time to come.

“Severe heat waves across much of northern and central WA will continue into next week,” the agency warned.

‘Locations likely to be affected include Kununurra, Marble Bar, Newman and Wyndham.’

There will be two fires burning on Saturday at Watch and Act levels.

A fire northeast of Mandurah was downgraded overnight.

The other fire is burning south at Northcliff in Manjimup shire.

“There is a potential threat to lives and homes as there is an uncontrolled bushfire in the area and people should still remain alert,” Emergency WA warned.

There is a total fire ban in the area.

Despite heatwave conditions easing in parts of WA, the weather bureau says severe heatwave warnings will still be in effect for WA for the foreseeable future

The weather bureau has issued an extreme fire danger warning for the Burrup district, with strong wind warnings also in place for the coastal areas of the Pilbara, Perth, Bunbury and Leeuwin.

Three homes were destroyed in a fire in Parkerville in Perth’s hilly east after a tree fell on power lines on Thursday.

Local resident Mark Norton lost his home of 18 years to the fire and returned to his property Friday to inspect what was left.

“If you look inside, there are no floors, everything has fallen through, there is nothing recognizable… half the walls have fallen through,” he said.

“It doesn’t look like my own house.”

Mr Norton said he had seconds to evacuate as the fire raced towards him.

“There was no time to grab anything by the time I smelled the fire… I knew I had a few moments or seconds to go,” he said.

“You grab a box of photos and your backups and that’s all you have time for.”

Firefighters also battled fires near the town of Toodyay, 90km northeast of Perth, and near Bunbury, 180km further south.

Residents of the fishing village of Lancelin, 126 kilometers north of Perth, were forced to flee to the small town’s jetty late on Wednesday as a fire that started on a golf course closed in on them.