'General lockdown and raging forest fires': Perth faces double crisis

A bushfire spreading on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia has now destroyed 71 homes and more property damage is anticipated as the fire continues to expand and threaten communities in the area.

The fire has already burned more than 20,000 acres and destroyed more than 70 homes.

A warning to other threatened areas told people to leave if they are not prepared to fight the blaze.

State officials are asking that people prioritize their immediate safety over the risk of contracting coronavirus, which they say is relatively low.

"The most important thing is preservation of life, and so if you're quarantining and you're required to evacuate, you should just evacuate".

People in a 25 km stretch west from Wooroloo to the Walyunga National Park northeast of Perth had been told Tuesday it had become too unsafe to leave their homes.

The Wooroloo bushfire started on February 1st 2021 and was battled by more than 500 fire fighters. "That evacuation overrides any quarantining requirements that people might have", Klemm said, as reported by CNN.

Evacuation warnings have now been issued for areas to the north and north-east of Perth, including the suburbs of Shady Hills, Bullsbrook, The Vines and Aveley.

Australians flee massive bushfire near Perth amid coronavirus lockdown

Perth has experienced days of temperatures over 30 Celsius as well as long periods of dry weather.

Residents not near the fire have been urged to follow health orders and stay at home.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the state faced an unprecedented situation: "A full lockdown and raging bushfires".

Governments all over the world are on high-alert about the new Covid-19 cases. On 3 February, it was reported that the bushfires are still ongoing as they are now experiencing hot and dry weather conditions.

"Strong winds are hampering us getting in and containing the fire and bringing it under control", he said.

"Western Australia has largely missed out on the rainfall in 2020 and conditions are very dry, with parts of the south and south west coasts expecting above normal fire conditions through summer", warned the Bushfires and Natural Hazards Central Resource Centre last December.

"You must shelter before the fire arrives, as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you", the latest warning said.