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The Department of Fire and Emergency Services says hot, dry and windy conditions over the next two days will test containment lines as crews continue to battle a fire that has been burning north of Perth for almost a week.
The potential for the fire to escalate rapidly means warning areas could change at short notice, the department said, and residents were urged to check the Emergency WA website regularly for updates.
Strong easterly winds are set to hamper efforts to control a fire emergency in the Shire of Gingin, north of Perth.
Credit:Nine
Ocean Farms Estate and Seaview Park residents are being told they are unable to return home, and a bushfire emergency warning is in place for people in parts of Cataby, Lancelin, Regans Ford, Red Gully, Cowalla, Moore River National Park, Nilgen, Mimegarra, Wedge Island, Karakin, Yathroo, Orange Springs, Cooljarloo and Ledge Point.
Friday afternoon last big test as Gingin fires expected to burn for days
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Friday afternoon last big test as Gingin fires expected to burn for days
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A bushfire that has been burning for six days already north of Perth is likely to burn for another five days with Friday afternoon to be the “last big test”, the incident controller has said.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ Sven Andersen said Gingin residents were now being allowed back to homes in Seaview Park and Ocean Farms Estate, where the fire came within 1 kilometre of homes before firefighters beat it back.
Western Australia Fire Crews to Battle Hot Dry Weather
Firefighters have managed to slow the spread of a dangerous bushfire burning north of Perth. Still, authorities fear the upcoming extreme weather conditions will impede efforts to bring it under control.
The Red Gully blaze which has been burning since Saturday Jan. 2 now has a perimeter of more than 100 kilometres and destroyed over 9500 hectares in the Gingin and Dandaragan shires.
An emergency warning remains for local communities around the two shires, with major concerns for Ocean Farms Estate residents.
Authorities urge residents to enact their bushfire plans and evacuate immediately if safe to do so.