An emergency warning issued for a bushfire in the outer Perth suburb of Bullsbrook in Western Australia has been downgraded.
The warning had been in place for people in the suburb’s north-east bounded by Meadowbrook Ramble, Avondale Green and Smith and Ashton roads on Thursday afternoon with residents asked to act immediately to survive.
But the blaze was subsequently downgraded to a watch and act alert level.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services initially said the fire was threatening lives and homes. “You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the warning stated.
About 100 firefighters battled the blaze which started about 3pm local time on Thursday. The fire was about 1 kilometre away from the Royal Australian Air Force’s Pearce airbase in Bullsbrook.
It was downgraded about 5.30pm “due to favourable fire conditions”. But, the department said, there remained a “possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching in the area and conditions are changing”.
Temperatures soared in Bullsbrook on Thursday reaching 42.6C before dipping slightly later in the afternoon. Much of outer-Perth was under a total fire ban as the state prepared for a scorching Christmas break.
About 45 fire trucks were deployed with both career and volunteer firefighters trying to bring the blaze under control.
If people are self-isolating due to coronavirus, the department advised them to leave and find alternative accommodation with family or friends who live away from the area.
Authorities said the bushfire was stationary but it was not controlled and not contained. “Burning embers are likely to be blown around your home.”
