Perth fire: Premier Roger Cook coming home early from China after ...

Premier Roger Cook has cut short his China trip, and will arrive back in Perth on Friday.

The Premier said from China that he had been keeping briefed on everything that was being done to ensure local residents were being looked after.

“Over the past 24 hours, emergency services workers and volunteers have battled fires in incredibly hot conditions across Perth’s north and south,” he posted on social media.

The Premier is coming back to WA to assist in the fire emergency. Credit: Getyt Images

“So I want to say thank you to all those on the frontline keeping our community safe as we experience another day of difficult conditions. The blaze in Perth’s north is ongoing, and unfortunately, despite all efforts, 10 homes have been lost.

“Today will be a difficult day for all involved as we face temperatures of 40 degrees, and strong winds. I again want to thank all those who have done what they can to keep damage to a minimum.

“Their efforts have ensured there has been no loss of human life. So, on behalf of all Western Australians: thank you.”

As well as claiming at least 10 houses, the Wanneroo fire has also left hundreds of horses with nowhere to go.

The brunt of the fire has ripped through a major equestrian area that is home to small acreage properties and also large agistment centres and equestrian facilities.

Hundreds of horses have lost their homes in the fire.

Team Equistar, the well-known home of showjumper Rick Dabner and Eve Jarvis, has been confirmed lost to the fire, but hundreds more horses are also homeless as their paddocks are on fire, fences burnt to the ground and shelters lost.

Many have been taken to the State Equestrian Centre in Brigadoon and a collection point has been set up at Horseland Midland for people to donate items.

Ease WA, which provides animal support in emergencies, said they were looking for items such as buckets, rugs and veterinary products.

Three volunteer firefighters have sustained minor injuries while fighting the Wanneroo bushfires while flames also reached a fire truck in what’s known as a “burn over event”.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said one volunteer had slipped on a ladder while two others were treated for smoke inhalation but all three were healthy.

“They were all treated by St John (Ambulance) on site,” he said.

Klemm also confirmed there was a burn over event where flames reached a fire truck but he did not think it was too serious.

A burn over event is when a fire truck can get overrun by fire in a bushfire when it changes direction rapidly, Klemm said.

He said, however, fire trucks had plenty of gadgets to keep firefighters safe in the event of a burn over.

“They may well have found themselves in a little bit of a difficult position and there’s a whole suite of things on the truck to cater for it,” he said.

“They have curtains which they can put down over the windows, they’ve got perimeter sprays, which they can activate which protect the tyres and critical parts of the truck.

“There’s in-cabin air so they’ve got the ability to be in the cab and have breathing capability without having to breathe smoke.”

The emergency warning area has been extended, and a watch and act area has been added for south of Elliot Road in Wanneroo.

The emergency warning now extends to parts of Ashby, Banksia Grove, Carramar, Jandabup, Mariginiup, Melaleuca, Sinagra, Tapping and Wanneroo.

For anyone east of Pinjar Road, it is still too dangerous to leave.

Shelter in your home in a room with two exits, away from the fire front and make sure you can easily escape, before the fire arrives as the extreme heat can kill before the flames.

Close all doors and windows and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.

Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from cotton or wool, and strong leather boots.

More advice can be found here.

Volunteering WA is currently taking registrations to help with sorting donations, supply delivery and drop off and welfare support.

See this post for details on how to register to help those evacuated from their homes.

Some schools close to the fire are now sending students home on the advice of DFES.

Wanneroo Secondary College and East Wanneroo Primary School were performing an emergency evacuation at 2pm with parents being asked to pick up their children if they could.

Wanneroo Primary School on Shaw Road was staying open, but parents were being offered the opportunity to collect their children early if they wished.

St Stephen’s School did not open to students at all on Thursday.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services incident controller Clint Kuchel has spoken at a community meeting, warning those in the area the fire was expected to change directions as strong winds continue into the evening.

Kuchel said firefighters were expecting some wind changes between 2pm and 8pm, which would change the direction of the fire and challenge containment lines. He also said the fire had moved towards wetlands, which had resulted in bogged fire fighting appliances needing to be pulled out.

There are fears the fire is moving towards wetlands containing peat, which retains heat for a long time.Credit: Night News

The wetlands also contain peat soil, which Kuchel said retained heat for a long time and could result in fires starting underground and then “sprouting”.

There have been 800 people fighting the fire, including volunteers.

“It has been an incredible effort … and they are people from your community … and we really appreciate that because we are not out of this yet,” Kuchel said.

“If any of you have looked at the weather forecast over the next week you’ll know we are not out of the woods yet.”

Kuchel confirmed property had been lost, and crews were working to notify owners.

City of Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said it had been rough, but she was pleased the community had somewhere safe to stay.

“We are here for you. If you need anything, if you have any questions, or if you just want to talk it out, there are people here for you, please take advantage of it, we are here to serve you,” she said.

It is hoped the Bullsbrook facility, initially built as a COVID quarantine facility before being rendered useless as borders opened, will be able to start taking in people in need of medium to long-term accommodation from Friday.