Australia: Emergency crews responding to multiple bushfires around Perth as of Nov. 22

Emergency crews are working to contain several bushfires near Perth as of Nov. 22. Multiple fires have broken out in the region amid heatwave warnings across the area. Some of the fires are threatening homes in the suburbs of the metropolitan area and warnings have been issued accordingly. High temperatures are forecast to persist in the region through at least Nov. 25 and further fire outbreaks are likely over the coming days amid the hot and dry conditions.

A fire that broke out around 13:00 Nov. 22 near the intersection of Boundary Road and Bustard Road in Mariginiup in the City of Wanneroo is threatening homes in the area. The fire is moving quickly in a westerly direction and is not contained or controlled. More than 120 firefighting personnel are on-site tackling the blaze. Bushfire emergency warnings are in place for residents in the area bounded by Coogee Road, Joondalup Drive, Pinjar Road, Caporn Street, Garden Park Drive, Dundebar Road, Trichet Road, Hawkins Road, Ross Street, Warbrook Road, Silver Road, Townsend Road, and Rousset Road in parts of Banksia Grove, Jandabup, Mariginiup, Melaleuca, and Wanneroo in the cities of Wanneroo and Swan. Bushfire Watch and Act warnings are in place for the surrounding areas of parts of Jandabup, Mariginiup, and Melaleucain. Residents east of Franklin Road have been advised that it is too late to leave and need to shelter in a room away from the fire front. Those in the emergency warning area west of Franklin Road are being advised to leave now in a westerly direction if the way is clear. Residents in the Watch and Act area are also being advised to leave now unless they are prepared and plan to actively defend their homes. An evacuation center for displaced residents has been established at Wanneroo Recreation Centre, 275 Scenic Park Drive, Wanneroo.

Emergency warnings were in place for another fire in the Hammond Park area of the City of Cockburn before being downgraded as firefighters managed to get on top of the blaze. The fire started near the intersection of Rowley Road and Kwinana Freeway and was first reported at 11:18 Nov. 22. A Watch and Act warning remains in place for the area bounded by Kwinana Freeway, Featherflower Road, Irvine Parade, and Whadjuk Drive and several roads in the area remain closed.

Authorities could issue new warnings or upgrade/rescind existing warnings as fires develop over the coming hours and days. Depending on the progression of the bushfires, the status of roads could change over the coming hours and days. Authorities could close additional routes within the bushfire complexes and evacuate more communities due to fire activity and the needs of response operators. The return of residents could disrupt traffic flows after authorities lift evacuation orders. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall could contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region. Power outages are possible if fires damage power infrastructure. Authorities may cut off power to parts of the affected area to aid firefighting efforts.

Smoke from fires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, and possibly building materials. Such smoke can hurt eyes, irritate the respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Smoke may also worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).