A large bushfire in Perth’s north has destroyed at least 10 homes and is not expected to be under control for days, authorities say.

November 23, 2023

Ten homes have been lost in bushfires in metropolitan Perth with authorities warning it could be days before the situation is under control as the city is gripped by a heatwave.

More than 150 firefighters are battling a massive blaze in the city’s northern suburbs that forced hundreds of local families to leave as embers rained down on their homes overnight.

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said conditions had been challenging and there was “significant damage” following a long and difficult night.

“At this stage, 10 homes have been lost along with four sheds along with numerous … (and) a range of infrastructure,” she said on Thursday.

“The forecast for today is unforgiving.”

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said a huge amount of firefighting resources, including multiple water bombers, were being used to battle the blaze.

“This is a significant fire … this will be a long-running incident and could take some time before the fire is brought under control given the situation we find ourselves in terms of the wind and high temperatures,” he said.

“The firefighters have been working incredibly hard to make sure we save as many homes as possible.”

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said it would take time to get critical infrastructure repaired after a number of power poles were damaged.

More than 1000 properties in the bushfire area are without power.

“The fire progressed really quickly to the west and the influence of those winds,” Mr Klemm said.

He said the fire broke containment lines in the early hours of the morning, with spot fires breaking out about a kilometre ahead of the fire front.

It continues to be fanned by northeasterly winds in semi-rural suburbs.

A number of firefighters have suffered smoke inhalation and minor injuries and one crew was involved in a “burnover ” incident while in a truck.

Teams are assessing damage to properties so evacuated residents can be informed, with fears more destroyed homes could be found.

The WA government has asked the federal government to open the Bullsbrook Centre for National Resilience for evacuees and firefighters.

Sarah Kilian stayed to defend her Tapping home from the blaze that ripped through nearby market gardens and engulfed a local park after leaping a four-lane road.

“There was two massive fires coming down the road and smoke everywhere,” she told AAP on Thursday.

“We haven’t slept a wink.”

Ms Kilian said most of her neighbours left during the night as embers descended on their homes that border semi-rural properties.

“Lucky my hubby stomped them out. It was just scary all night – absolutely chaotic,” she said.

Smoke continues to rise from the fire grounds and water bombers can be seen swooping down on bushland.

Some locals have gathered on top of a hill at the edge of their suburb and inspect the smoke and a nearby parkland that was burned yesterday.

An emergency warning remains in place for Wanneroo, Jandabup, Mariginiup, Melaleuca, Sinagra, Banksia Grove and Tapping, about 30km north of the city centre.

Western Australia is in the grip of a severe heatwave and Perth is forecast to reach 40C on Thursday, with wind gusts up to 80km/h.

Multiple evacuation centres have been set up for residents and animals near the fire zone and a community meeting will be held later on Thursday.

The fire was reported just after midday on Wednesday and 16 square kilometres of bush and grassland have been burned, according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.