PERTH, Australia (AP) – An out of control bushfire northeast of the Australian west coast city of Perth has destroyed an estimated 30 homes and threatened more on Tuesday, with many locals in the region being told it is too late to leave.
The nearly 7,000 acre fire, which has a circumference of 60 kilometers (37 mi), started Monday and raged throughout the night near the town of Wooroloo, affecting the counties of Mundaring, Chittering, Northam and the town of Swan.
Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey said more than 30 homes have been destroyed.
“We’re just waiting for the numbers to be confirmed, but we’re looking for somewhere near more than 30 lost homes,” Bailey told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Bailey said a firefighter had been treated for smoke inhalation. There were no other injuries.
Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the fire burned down 6,667 hectares (16,475 acres) on Tuesday.
People in a 15-mile stretch west of Wooroloo to Walyunga National Park northeast of Perth had been told on Tuesday that it had become too dangerous to leave their homes.
“You have to hide before the fire starts because the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you,” the latest warning said.
Roads outside the semi-rural suburb of The Vines on Perth’s northern edge were bumper-to-bumper with traffic, leading some to choose to stay.
Melissa Stahl, 49, received a text message telling her to evacuate.
“I could smell the fire and went out and the whole yard was filled with smoke,” she said. “We grabbed bedding, pictures, the two kids and the dog and left,” she added.
A warning to other endangered areas told people to leave if they are not willing to fight the blaze. The forest fire is unpredictable and weather conditions are changing rapidly, the warning said, urging people to remain vigilant.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Peter Sutton, Chief Superintendent of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, said about 250 firefighters had erratic fire behavior.
“It has made it very difficult, almost impossible … to quell this fire,” Sutton said.
Wildfires are common during the current summer in the Southern Hemisphere. However, the season has been mild on Australia’s southeast coast, which was devastated by massive fires last summer.