3 years ago
Western Australia is battling two different kinds of emergencies - a dangerous fire emergency and a Covid-19 lockdown emergency-Mark McGowan.
McGowan called the city's situation "extremely concerning and serious" as the state capital is in a snap lockdown until Friday.
A wild bushfire in the Western Australian city of Perth has forced nearby residents to evacuate as the city remains in a coronavirus lockdown. Authorities said at least 50 homes have been destroyed in the north of the city, which has scorched over 7,000 hectares.
Stronger winds and a run of hot days have fuelled the fire as Perth is enduring 35C (95F) temperatures.
The state government has enacted the stictest public health measure on Sunday after the city detected its first local infection in 10 months in a hotel quarantine guard who was also a ride-share driver.
On Tuesday, Perth residents woke up to a blanket of smoke as the fire raced through the hilly, dry bush on the city's fringes overnight.
Mr McGowan urged residents who are not in the immediate fire danger emergency to stay home to reduce the risk of the virus' spread.
