Two fires are raging on either side of Perth’s Swan River as emergency services warn residents to stay alert and get ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
The blazes broke out virtually at the same time on Sunday afternoon just after 3.30pm, with both soon taking hold in Carabooda in the north, about 47km from the Perth CBD, and Oldbury in the south, about 44km from Perth’s city centre.
A fire alert was upgraded about an hour and a half later due to “increased fire behaviour”, with a watch and act put in place for people in the area bounded by Yanchep Rd in the north, Wanneroo Rd in the west, Bernard Rd North to the south and Delich Rd in the east in the eastern parts of Yanchep National Park.
Residents were warned the fire, which started near the intersection of Wanneroo Rd and Walding Rd, is moving fast in a north-easterly direction.
Firefighters are building containment lines with machinery as they try to contain and bring the blaze under control.
Aerial support has also been sent to assist ground crews in the remaining daylight.
South of the river, in the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, the Oldbury fire also triggered a watch and act for residents.
People bounded by King Rd, Boomerang Rd, Kargotich Rd and Leipold Rd in the eastern part of Oldbury were advised to stay alert to the possible threat to lives and homes as the evolving fire threatened to take hold further through the shire.
The fast-moving blaze was heading in a north-easterly direction but firefighters managed to contain and gain control over the bushfire, prompting the warning to be downgraded to advice just after 6pm.
Jackson Rd is closed as emergency services remain on-site to strengthen containment lines and extinguish the fire.
Residents have been advised to be on the lookout for burning embers which are likely to be blown around homes.