The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) have downgraded the emergency warnings for the area after an emergency-level bushfire struck southern Perth this morning.

The emergency warnings for residents of Ferndale, Canning and surrounding suburbs are now ‘watch and act’. Locals are being told the area is not safe to return, although homes are now longer under immediate threat.

The bushfire was first reported at 4am this morning and a spokesperson for the DFES told residents to evacuate now “if the way is clear” at 6am.

“There is a threat to lives and home”, he said.

This bushfire adds to a myriad of differing natural disasters Australia has battled this year alone, including flooding and heavy storms that continue to be forecast for the east coast of Australia. Perth has recently experienced an unusually warm autumn heatwave last week, making it the hottest March in 40 years.

Perth residents are being urged to stay aware and continue to monitor for warnings from Emergency WA.

Photo: from Pixabay found HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This image has not been modified.