‘Switch off’: Perth residents urged to turn off appliances, save energy as ‘life-threatening’ fires continue

Perth residents have been urged to “switch off” and unplug unnecessary appliances to save energy, as ‘life-threatening’ fires in the city’s north continue to rage and affect the electricity supply.

At least ten homes and four other structures have been confirmed destroyed in the fire-ravaged suburbs, including Jandabup, Melaleuca, Wanneroo and Mariginiup.

The Department of Education has closed schools in the area, including Wanneroo Secondary College and East Wanneroo Primary School.

Western Power has urged Perth residents to “switch off”, sending out a text message encouraging them to unplug unnecessary appliances with concerns the fire could impact the city’s electricity supply.

The bushfire emergency warning area. Emergency WA Credit: NCA NewsWire

Weather conditions on Thursday night and Friday morning had helped firefighters in their battle with the blaze, Department of Fire and Emergency Services incident controller Scott Hares said.

“There’s been favourable conditions overnight,” he said.

“We’ve reduced some of the warning areas as a result.”

However, he warned the danger was still very real.

“It’s important that community members stay alert,” he said. “Keep checking Emergency WA to check for changes to warning areas because conditions can change at any time.”

Power has already been lost to about 544 homes and businesses in the affected area.

More than 100 power poles have already been damaged as well as other infrastructure like transformers according to Western Power which is asking people to stay away from damaged equipment and treat everything as live even if there is no power in the area.

A bushfire Watch and Act alert has also been issued for parts of Banksia Grove, Tapping, Carramar, Gnangara, Lexia, Sinagra, Hocking and Pearsall.

Premier Roger Cook confirmed on Thursday night that he would cut an international trip short to come home in the face of the ongoing disaster.

“I’ve decided to return from my trade visit in Shanghai early, so I can arrive back in Perth around midday Friday,” he said.

“Right now the most important thing I can do is be back in WA, providing support to Western Australians devastated by the fires in our northern suburbs and our incredible emergency personnel.

“I want to make sure I’m on hand to provide any assistance I can.”

WA Premier Roger Cook NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes Credit: News Corp Australia

Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said that ongoing weather conditions could mean the fire rages for days to come and urged residents to be prepared for anything.

“It could take some time before the fire is brought under control,” Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said

“Please follow directions from emergency services and please be patient as we work to make this area safe again.

“Please take the opportunities to keep your families safe, get a bushfire plan in place. It takes less than 15 minutes and it could make a difference.”

Some residents have returned to their homes in the wake of the bushfire to either find their home intact or a burnt out shell.

For the De-Bie family it was the latter, they told 7 News.

“One of the ladies who let us through said ‘I think one of the houses made it’ and she goes ‘it might be yours’ and we just had a little bit of hope,” Emma De-Bie said.

That hope was short lived when they found their home still alight.

“It cuts your heart, you can replace a few things but it’s the family memories,” Shannon De-Bie said.

The De-Bie family home was destroyed by fire. Supplied / Channel 7 Credit: NCA NewsWire

The bushfire threat started Wednesday morning in Aubin Grove, before a second fire near Mariginiup got underway in the afternoon.

Strong easterly winds pushed the fire quickly before being contained, but a breakout in the southwest corner on Thursday morning is what started the current crisis.

Strong easterly and north easterly winds have made it hard to control the blaze.

People in Perth’s northern suburbs are being urged to keep tabs on the Emergency WA website and to remain vigilant.

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