PERTH, Australia (AP) – An out-of-control bushfire northeast of the Australian west coast city of Perth has destroyed at least 56 homes and threatened more on Tuesday, with many residents in the region being told it’s too late to leave.
The 7,000 hectare fire, which has a circumference of 80 kilometers (50 miles), started on Monday and raged through the night near the town of Wooroloo, affecting the counties of Mundaring, Chittering, Northam and the town of Swan.
Losses were expected to increase as teams continued their damage assessment, said Darren Klemm, Commissioner of Western Australia’s State Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and another received a superficial burn to one ear, Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said. No other injuries were reported.
The fire doubled in size overnight, burning 7,366 hectares (18,202 acres) of farm and forest, Waters said.
“Strong winds prevent us from entering and controlling and controlling the fire,” he said.
State Prime Minister Mark McGowan said 80% of all properties in Tilden Park near Gidgegannup on the northeastern rural edge of Perth have been lost.
McGowan said a large antenna tanker flew from Australia’s east coast to fight the fire.
“This is an extremely dangerous fire and a serious situation. Weather conditions are extremely changeable, ”said McGowan.
“Please do everything possible to protect and care for you and your family,” he added.
People in a 15-mile stretch west of Wooroloo to Walyunga National Park northeast of Perth were 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 from the semi-rural suburb of The Vines on the northern edge of Perth were bumper to bumper with traffic, leading some people to choose to stay.
Melissa Stahl, 49, listened to 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.”
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 was unknown.
Chief Inspector Peter Sutton of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services said about 250 firefighters had fought the erratic fire.
“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.