WA fire crews battling multiple out-of-control bushfires face another day of challenging conditions, with no respite forecast in the coming days.

December 22, 2023

Firefighters battling multiple blazes that have destroyed homes in Western Australia face another day of tough conditions.

Five emergency-level blazes have torn through bushland, rural properties and the suburb of Parkerville in Perth’s hilly east in the past two days.

Crews have faced “intense fire behaviour” driven by strong and gusty easterly winds and low humidity.

Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the situation was unlikely to improve on Friday.

“We haven’t got a great forecast, particularly the next three or four days,” he told reporters from the Parkerville fire ground late on Thursday.

“Certainly from here through to Boxing Day we’re going to have some really challenging conditions across … the southern half of the state.”

The Parkerville blaze, which started accidentally on Thursday when a tree fell onto powerlines, has destroyed two homes, but authorities warn there could be more.

Firefighters are also battling blazes in the Shire of Toodyay, 90km northeast of Perth, and the Shire of Dardanup, 180km south of the city.

The Toodyay fire in the Wheatbelt region started on Wednesday afternoon and has burned through about 155 hectares of vegetation.

“We have a significant amount of resources out there, as well as aircraft, helping to bring that breakout under control,” Mr Klemm said.

Crews also continue to battle a blaze in the Shire of Manjimup in the state’s southwest, which was also downgraded on Thursday.

Light rain has started falling in the area but residents have been warned the blaze remains out of control and continues to pose a threat.

The fire has burned about 3000 hectares of vegetation and there have been reports of damage to sheds, fences and farm equipment.

“It is burning in some very dense old-growth forest and this fire could continue and we’re expecting it to continue for the next several days.” Mr Klemm said.

Mr Klemm will meet with fire commissioners in other states on Friday to discuss whether interstate teams will be needed to help battle the fires.

Another bushfire that threatened the fishing town of Lancelin, 126km north of Perth, late on Wednesday was declared contained and controlled early on Thursday morning.