Perth residents forced to evacuate during COVID-19 lockdown as bushfire bears down on city

A map of the fire.
A map of the fire. Photo credit: www.emergency.wa.gov.au

Perth residents are being forced to evacuate their homes during a COVID-19 lockdown due to a large bushfire bearing down on the city.

Emergency services are battling the out-of-control blaze, which began on Monday in Wooroloo in the Perth Hills.

Thousands have been evacuated as a result of the blaze, which measured 900 metres at its widest point. 

The rapidly moving fire was burning around the suburb of Wooroloo, but quickly spread to parts of Chidlow, Wundowie and Gidgegannup. By Tuesday morning it was also burning in parts of Mundaring, Chittering, Northam, and the City of Swan.

City of Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey believes between 20 to 30 homes may have been lost in the blaze. 

Meanwhile people in the towns of Gidgegannup and Bullsbrook have been told that it is too late to leave and leaving now would be deadly, reports ABC News. 

The fire is hitting days into a week-long COVID-19 lockdown for Perth and its surrounding regions.

However the Department of Fire and Emergency Services is urging residents to evacuate if the blaze draws too near, saying people must "do whatever it takes" to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.