Hundreds of residents from the city of Perth in Australia have evacuated due to bushfires. The blaze is the largest the city has seen, as it has burned around 9,000 hectares and destroyed 71 homes. The metropolitan area of Perth including the Peel and South-West regions of Australia was under lockdown for five due to the coronavirus.
The lockdown was proclaimed after a single COVID-19 case was identified in a hotel security guard at a quarantine facility in Perth. The lockdown was set to be lifted on Friday.
The bushfire has been raging near the town of Wooroloo on Perth's outskirts. The fast-moving bushfires started on February 1. Hundreds of firefighters have been involved in trying to control the fire.
Wind gusts of up to 70 kilometres per hour have been a factor for the fires to spread rapidly. Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Commissioner Darren Klemm told CNN it was important that people didn't become complacent and kept abreast of updates. “It will continue to be a challenging fire for us for at least the next three, four, or five days,” he added. The fires that are moving in a west-south-westerly direction is expected to destroy more properties in its wake. Temperatures in the fire-affected areas are expected to reach 35 deg. C, ABC reported.
Under lockdown restrictions, schools, most businesses, entertainment venues and places of worship have been shut and restaurants are restricted to takeaway only. Australia has so far reported 28,000 COVID-19 cases.
Perth Province Premier Mark McGowan said, "To all those impacted by the fires, can I say, every single Western Australian is thinking of you today. We stand ready to help in any way that we can."
Under lockdown restrictions, schools, most businesses, entertainment venues and places of worship have been shut and restaurants are restricted to takeaway only. Australia has so far reported 28,000 COVID-19 cases.
Perth Province Premier Mark McGowan said, "To all those impacted by the fires, can I say, every single Western Australian is thinking of you today. We stand ready to help in any way that we can."
