Residents urged to flee, Perth Airport flights delayed as firefighters battle bushfires

Two bushfires in Perth’s eastern suburbs have been reduced to watch-and-act levels, although authorities have warned there remains a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing.

A bushfire in Perth’s east sparked an emergency warning on Thursday, with residents in parts of Kenwick, Wattle Grove, Maddington and Beckenham urged to leave.

However, authorities say the threat has been downgraded as it remains uncontained and uncontrolled but is stationary.

It is believed one home along Boundary Road caught fire. While authorities were not been able to confirm, an alert said that homes along that same road, and along Bickley Road and Brook Road, were under threat.

The situation forced the closure of the main runway at Perth Airport and delayed flights due to a fire service helicopter in the flight path of the main runway.

“The main runway (03/21) is currently not in use, with flights currently departing and arriving on the cross runway (06/24),” a Perth Airport statement said.

“Four wide-body aircraft are unable to use the cross runway due to weight restrictions.”

The fire was reported just after midday on Thursday, and aerial crews were called in as firefighters battle the blaze in bushland to the east of Kenwick Wetlands Nature Reserve.

The fire was reported as moving in an easterly direction and a number of roads were closed including Wanaping Road and Bickley Road.

There was a lot of smoke impacting Roe Highway and residents in an area bounded by Welshpool Road East, Tonkin Highway, Kenwick Road, Brixton Street and Roe Highway were under an emergency warning alert.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services urged those fleeing the area to head south towards Albany Highway and to take an emergency kit.

Those who could not flee or chose to stay were told to shelter in their homes before the fire arrived.

“The room should have running water, such as a kitchen or laundry, and have a clear exit so you can easily escape,” an alert on the EmergencyWA website read.

“If you are not at home, it is too dangerous to return.”

Another emergency warning flares in Bullsbrook

Residents in the City of Swan were also told to flee, with a threat to lives and homes in Bullsbrook and Upper Swan.

However, an update from EmergencyWA reported the level for this fire has been downgraded as conditions have eased in the evening.

The bushfire, reported at 12.51pm, was moving in a northeasterly direction and not contained or controlled at the time of writing.

Aerial support was sent to assist crews on the ground, while the Department of Communities set up an evacuation centre at Swan Active Beechboro on Benara Road.

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