Suspicious Blaze at Herdsman Lake Burns 19.5 Hectares as Perth Faces Multiple Fire Emergencies

Key facts

• More than 19.5 hectares were burnt at Herdsman Lake before an afternoon wind change helped firefighters.
• The Department of Fire and Emergency Services says the circumstances of the Herdsman Lake blaze appear suspicious.
• Two bushfires in Perth's south-east and north-east reached emergency level on Thursday before being downgraded.
• The Bullsbrook fire burned through more than 230 hectares and was started accidentally, authorities said.
• Julia Nemeth lost a shed, trucks, machinery, gardens, fencing, and water and power in the Kenwick fire.
• Temperatures are forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius in the south west of WA over the weekend.
• A teenager allegedly sparked an out-of-control blaze with a firecracker just after midnight on New Year's Day.
• 18 homes have been lost to bushfires, with fresh heartbreak reported.

Blaze at Herdsman Lake Prompts Suspicion

A bushfire advice has been issued for residents in Perth’s north after bushland surrounding Herdsman Lake went up in flames on Monday morning. The fire ripped through the regional park, burning more than 19.5 hectares before an afternoon wind change turned the flames back on themselves, easing the task for fire crews. At its peak, ash from the fire was carried on the wind and spread throughout the nearby Osborne Park business district, leading to fears and an alert about the risk of falling embers. A spotter plane will return to the air over Herdsman Lake on Tuesday to search for hot spots. The lake itself acted as a natural barrier, containing the flames that burned across the centre island. The cause of the blaze remains unknown, but the Department of Fire and Emergency Services says the circumstances appear suspicious.

Emergency-Level Fires Downgraded After Threatening Homes

Two bushfires in Perth's south-east and north-east reached emergency level on Thursday before being downgraded. Crews on the ground and in the air are still working to contain the inferno in stifling 37°C heat. In the south-east, the Kenwick fire destroyed sections of 'internationally significant' biodiverse wetlands and is not yet contained or controlled. The Bullsbrook fire in the north-east, which burned through more than 230 hectares, is now contained and controlled; authorities said it was started accidentally.

Kenwick Resident Loses Shed and Machinery as Blaze Comes Within Metres of Home

Julia Nemeth's property in Kenwick was engulfed in flames. 'We lost trucks and machinery, the tool shed … all of our gardens and all of our fencing, and our water and power has been disrupted,' she said. The destroyed shed and charred fencing on the front of her property were just metres from her home. 'But, still gutted because it's not home as much as it was before, the effect that it has on you, you don't know until it's happened,' she added. Ms Nemeth said she left the property with her mother, who is in her 80s. 'There was no way that you could stay,' she said. 'As I was leaving in the car, I was beeping the horn the entire time down the road because we couldn't see a foot in front of the car from the smoke.' Fire crews continue to battle the blaze in Kenwick, which remained stationary overnight but is not contained or controlled.

Teenager Allegedly Sparks Blaze with Firecracker on New Year's Day

Police believe a teenager sparked an out-of-control blaze with a firecracker just after midnight on New Year's Day. The accused allegedly lit the fire, which contributed to the series of bushfires that have plagued the region. The incident adds to the strain on fire crews already battling multiple blazes in extreme conditions.

Forecast Heat and Wind Raise Alarm for Weekend

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that forecast hot and windy weather is 'a big concern' for the south west of Western Australia over the weekend, with temperatures tipped to reach 40 degrees Celsius. The dangerous conditions could exacerbate existing fires and spark new ones. Meanwhile, prescribed burns have blanketed the city in smoke, with 'ash' falling on Perth suburbs.

18 Homes Lost as Fresh Heartbreak Hits Fire-Affected Communities

Fresh heartbreak has struck as 18 homes are now confirmed lost to bushfires. The destruction has left families displaced and communities reeling. In addition to the residential losses, the Kenwick fire has damaged ecologically significant wetlands, raising concerns about long-term environmental impact. Authorities continue to investigate the causes of the fires and urge residents to remain vigilant.

The bottom line

• A suspicious fire at Herdsman Lake burned 19.5 hectares; a spotter plane will search for hot spots on Tuesday.
• Two emergency-level fires in Kenwick and Bullsbrook have been downgraded, but the Kenwick fire is not yet contained.
• Julia Nemeth lost a shed, trucks, and machinery in Kenwick; the fire came within metres of her home.
• A teenager allegedly started a fire with a firecracker on New Year's Day.
• Temperatures are forecast to reach 40°C over the weekend, raising concerns for fire conditions.
• 18 homes have been lost to bushfires, with significant damage to internationally significant wetlands.