More than 120 firefighters battling Gidgegannup blaze
Firefighters have resumed battling a blaze burning in bushland east of Perth near Gidgegannup which has torn through 650 hectares.
The fire was reported around 1pm on Tuesday near Toodyay Road, with 120 crew members trying to contain the uncontrolled blaze.
Department of Fire and Emergency acting superintendent Paul Postma told Radio 6PR the fire had eased overnight, but tough weather conditions were expected to hamper fire-fighting efforts on Wednesday.
“Currently the fire is still uncontained and uncontrolled, and we have the emergency warning area in the Red Hill, Herne Hill, Millendon , Baskerville areas,” he said.
“We’re encouraging residents to remain vigilant, to monitor Emergency WA website and to make sure they enact their bushfire plans.”
Postma said the fire had damaged two sheds.
“The fire definitely went into the bushland and into the paddocks around a number of residential properties, we have nil reports of any damage to residential structures, we are aware obviously of a lot of damage to environment, a lot of damage to fences,” he said.
“There’s significant amount of horses and sheep and livestock through the area. There are no reports of any losses, and at this time of the year, most of the paddocks are fairly eaten down, so there’s not a lot of fuel for the fire to run through.
“The fire has slowed its forward rate of spread overnight, as it traditionally does, however given the significant drought conditions that we’re facing, the fact the fire is in hilly, rocky terrain, it’s been really difficult to contain it, and on top of that we have some really strong winds and some weather that’s very conducive to the spread of fire coming in through the day today.”
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An emergency warning is in place for residents bound by Haddrill Road to the north, Moore Road to the west, Stock Road, Neuman Road and Toodyay Road to the south and Red Hill Quarry to the east in parts of the City of Swan.
A watch and act alert is in place for surrounding areas.
The bushfire is moving slowly in a westerly direction, towards more populated areas.
Padbury Avenue, Campersic Road, William Street and Hardwick Road are closed.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
The blaze covered Perth’s eastern suburbs in a thick blanket of smoke on Tuesday afternoon.
The massive fire front is being fuelled by forest.
More than 100 firefighters are tackling the fire, supported by 30 fire trucks and two air tankers dropping retardant.
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