Current:Home > ContactDozens evacuate and 10 homes are destroyed by a wildfire burning out of control on the edge of Perth -WealthTrail Solutions
Dozens evacuate and 10 homes are destroyed by a wildfire burning out of control on the edge of Perth
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:01:22
PERTH, Australia (AP) — Dozens of residents have been evacuated and at least 10 homes destroyed by a wildfire burning out of control on the northern fringe of the west coast city of Perth during heat wave spring conditions, authorities said Thursday.
There were no deaths reported, but several firefighters had sustained minor injuries including smoke inhalation, Western Australia state Department of Fires and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said.
The fire began Wednesday afternoon in a pine tree plantation on Perth’s northeast edge and was fanned overnight by 60-kilometer (37-mile) -an-hour winds, incident controller Clinton Kuchel said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The temperature in Perth was forecast to peak at 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Thursday — which is extraordinarily hot for the Southern Hemisphere spring — and winds remained strong.
“Perth is experiencing … heat wave conditions. So overlay that on top of the fire and you can imagine the conditions that our firefighters and our support staff are working on. It’s really challenging,” Kuchel told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
“Whilst we’re building containment lines on this fire, the conditions and the environment are such that even if we contain it, it may not be contained all the time. There may be breakouts. So it’s a really challenging and dynamic environment,” Kuchel added.
Power poles had been damaged and 544 homes were without power Thursday. Around 130 people spent Wednesday night in an evacuation center, Western Australia Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said.
“The forecast for today is unforgiving. The temperature is expected to hit a maximum of 40 degrees, and the winds continue to be strong. Today will be a difficult day for everybody,” Saffioti told reporters.
Klemm said the 150 firefighters battling the blaze would take several days to bring it under control.
In the northern Perth suburb of Tapping, Sarah Kilian and her husband stayed to defend their home over Wednesday night. Kilian said most of her neighbors evacuated as embers rained down on their homes.
“Lucky my hubby stomped them out,” Kilian said. “It was just scary all night — absolutely chaotic.”
veryGood! (585)
Related
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- 5 missing skiers found dead in Swiss Alps, search for 6th continues: We were trying the impossible
- Jury sees bedroom photo of empty box that held gun used in Michigan school shooting
- Gender ID, sexual orientation can be talked about in Florida classrooms after lawsuit settlement
- Taylor Swift Cancels Austria Concerts After Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack
- Derrick Henry to sign with Baltimore Ravens on two-year contract, per reports
- Wisconsin Legislature to end session with vote on transgender athlete ban, no action on elections
- The View's Whoopi Goldberg Defends Kate Middleton Over Photo Controversy
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Keke Palmer, Jimmy Fallon talk 'Password' Season 2, best celebrity guests
Ranking
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- 1 dead, 1 in custody after daytime shooting outside Pennsylvania Walmart
- Renewed push for aid for radiation victims of U.S. nuclear program
- Protesters flood streets of Hollywood ahead of Oscars
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Climate, a major separator for Biden and Trump, is a dividing line in many other races, too
- Uvalde police chief who was on vacation during Robb Elementary shooting resigns
- South Carolina House nears passage of budget as Republicans argue what government should do
Recommendation
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
Driver crashes car into Buckingham Palace gates, police in London say
Xenophobia or security precaution? Georgia lawmakers divided over limiting foreign land ownership
If there is a Mega Millions winner Tuesday, they can collect anonymously in these states
Southern California rocked by series of earthquakes: Is a bigger one brewing?
Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, Shouts Down Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro Over a Proposed ‘Hydrogen Hub’
Karl Wallinger of UK bands World Party and the Waterboys dies at 66: Reports
The Best Easter Basket Gifts for Kids, Teens & Adults (That’s Not Candy)