Relief for firefighters, residents with several bushfires downgraded

Friday, 22 December 2023 09:27

By Monique Welhan

This Parkerville home was destroyed. PIC: 9NEWS

Relief for firefighters and residents on Friday with a number of bushfires burning across the state downgraded.

At least two homes were lost in a devastating bushfire in Parkerville in the Perth Hills on Thursday.

The blaze was caused by a tree that fell onto powerlines.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm said the fire was "incredibly intense" and moved too fast for fire crews to save the two properties.

“I don’t expect the housing loss number to increase significantly, but in terms of the quantum of sheds and all those other buildings and assets that exist around homes, we will see a significant number of them,” he said.

The fire is now contained and under control and remains at a watch and act alert.

About 2000 properties are without power.

Meanwhile, Eaton residents who fled their properties on Thursday are now able to return after a massive bushfire swept through the town near Bunbury.

Luckily, there were no reports of any major damage to homes.

The fire has been downgraded to an advice.

The Forrest Highway remains closed in both directions between Raymond Road and Thomson Road Road in Glen Iris.

A third bushfire that started near Northcliffe in the Shire of Manjimup remains at a watch and act.

That fire started on Tuesday afternoon and has burnt through nearly 3000 hectares.

DFES Commissioner Klemm is urging residents to remain vigilant.

"We'll still have to deal with these fires, the three major ones we'll be dealing with in the days ahead to make sure they're safe and we're certainly not out of the woods yet," Mr Klemm said.

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