New Delhi (NVI): A huge wildfire burning out of control northeast of the city of Perth in Australia has razed dozens of home, as nearby residents scramble to evacuate the region that remains in a coronavirus lockdown.
At least 59 homes have been destroyed by the blaze, which has been fanned by strong winds. Officials say six firefighters have had minor injuries.
The blaze spans across 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres), with an 80km (50 mile) perimeter.
It began on Monday and raged through the night near the town of Wooroloo, also affecting the shires of Mundaring, Chittering, Northam, and the city of Swan.
Although much of Western Australia is under a strict five-day coronavirus lockdown, people have been told to flee to safety as the state faces an extremely concerning and serious situation.
Mark McGowan, Western Australia Premier, said, “Right now WA is battling two different kinds of emergencies – a dangerous fire emergency and a Covid-19 lockdown emergency.”
“It is going to be an extremely challenging day for everyone involved. Please do everything you can to keep you and your family safe and look after each other,” he added.
Perth is enduring 35C (95F) temperatures and has experienced a run of hot days as well as extended dry conditions.
In late 2019 and early 2020, southeastern Australia was ravaged by devastating wildfires caused by a prolonged heat wave. Studies have linked the extreme heat wave to climate change, with climate scientists saying such intense heat waves in the region are about 10 times more likely to occur now than in 1900.
-CHK
