Australia: Emergency crews responding to bushfire in the City of Armadale near Perth, March 22

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued an Emergency Warning for a bushfire in the City of Armadale in the southeastern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, as of March 22. The fire started during the early afternoon March 22 and is moving in a northwesterly direction toward Springfield Road as of the early evening; the fire is out of control and unpredictable. Around 160 firefighting personnel are on site tackling the blaze. The bushfire is threatening homes in the area and residents in the area are being advised to take immediate action to protect themselves from the hazards associated with the fire.

The DFES has issued the following bushfire warnings in the vicinity of the fire:

• Emergency Warning (the highest level on a three-tier scale): For the area bounded by Albany Highway, Admiral Road, Kunzea Road, and McAllister Road in the southern part of Bedfordale and eastern part of Ashendon in the City of Armadale.

• Watch and Act: For the area north of Albany Highway, east of Canns Road, and south of Churchman Brook Road and for the area west of Admiral Road and south of Kunzea Road bounded by Albany Highway, South Western Highway, Old Haul Road No 1, Curtis Road, Rock Road, and McAllister Road in parts of Armadale, Ashendon, Bedfordale, Byford, Karrakup, Mount Richon, and Wungong in the City of Armadale and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

• Advice: For areas west of the Watch and Act bound by Canns Road, Armadale Road, Forrest Road, Eleventh Road, Rowley Road, Hopkinson Road, Orton Road, Turner Road, Nettleton Road, and Admiral South Road in parts of Armadale, Bedfordale, Brookdale, Byford, Darling Downs, Karrakup, Mount Richon, and Wungong in the City of Armadale and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

The DFES has instructed people in the Emergency Warning that it is too late to leave; residents should shelter in their homes, away from the firefront, as leaving would be too dangerous. People in the Watch and Act areas are being advised to leave whilst the way is clear and those in the advice areas are being warned of smoke in the area and to remain alert in case the situation changes. An evacuation center has been established at the Armadale Arena, 2 Townley Street, Armadale. Several roads in the affected area are closed, including Admiral Road and Springfield Road. The DFES may extend or rescind warnings and evacuation orders over the coming hours and days. Authorities have not provided an estimated containment date for the fire; further fire growth is possible.

The status of roads can change over the coming hours and days; authorities could close routes within the fire complex and evacuate more communities due to fire activity and response operations needs. Traffic disruptions are also likely during reentry periods after authorities lift evacuation orders. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall could contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region.

Smoke and ashfall from bushfires may cause poor air quality in the impacted parts of Western Australia. Power outages and utilities that rely on electricity could experience outages within and near the wildfire complex.

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