PERTH, Australia (AP) – An uncontrolled wildfire burning northeast of the city of Perth on the west coast of Australia has destroyed about 30 homes and threatened more on Tuesday, and many locals in the region said it was too late to leave.
The 7,000-hectare (17,000-acre) blaze, which has a perimeter of 75 kilometers, began on Monday and lasted overnight near the town of Wooroloo, with the counties of Mundaring, Chittering, Northam and the town of Swan impacted.
Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey said more than 30 homes are believed to have been destroyed.
“We’re just waiting for confirmation of the numbers, but we’re looking for somewhere in the vicinity of more than 30 lost homes,” Bailey said.
Bailey said a firefighter had been treated for smoke inhalation. There had been no other injuries.
West Australian State Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said the fire had doubled overnight and burned at 7,366 hectares (18,202 acres) of farmland and forest.
“Strong winds prevent us from entering and containing the fire and controlling it,” he said.
State Prime Minister Mark McGowan said 80% of all property near Gidgegannup, in the north-eastern rural part of Perth, has been lost.
Firefighters would investigate if there were any casualties, he said.
McGowan said a large cistern flew from the east coast of Australia to help fight the blaze.
“This is an extremely dangerous fire and a serious situation. Weather conditions are extremely volatile, ”McGowan said.
“Please do your best to keep you and your family safe and to take care of each other,” he added.
On Tuesday people were told a 25-kilometer (16-mile) stretch west from Wooroloo to Walyunga National Park northeast of Perth had become too dangerous to leave their homes.
“You have to take refuge before the fire comes, as the extreme heat will kill you before the flames reach you,” the last warning said.
Roads coming out of the semi-rural suburb The vineyards on the northern outskirts of Perth had very heavy traffic, which caused some people to stay.
Melissa Stahl, 49, heeded a text telling her to evacuate.
“I smelled the fire and went out from behind and the whole yard was full of smoke,” he said. “We grabbed bed linen, photos, the two kids and the dog and got out of there,” he added.
A warning to other threatened areas told people to leave if they are not prepared to fight the fire. The bushfire is unpredictable and weather conditions are changing rapidly, according to the warning, which urged people to stay alert.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Superintendent of the Fire and Emergency Services Department Peter Sutton said about 250 firefighters had been fighting erratic fire behavior.
“It’s made it very difficult, almost impossible … to suppress that fire,” Sutton said.
Forest fires are common during the current summer in the southern hemisphere. However, the season has been mild on the south-east coast of Australia, which was devastated by massive fires last summer.