PERTH (Azat TV) – Emergency warnings have been issued for an uncontrolled bushfire raging in Bullsbrook, a northern suburb of Perth, Western Australia, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The fast-moving blaze is actively threatening lives and homes, prompting authorities to urge immediate evacuation for residents in the affected areas, including the popular Outback Splash water park.
The emergency warning, issued at 1:58 PM local time on Wednesday, covers the area bounded by Martin Road to the north, Tonkin Highway to the east, Neaves Road to the south, and Kirby Road to the west. Emergency WA, the state’s hazard management agency, has stressed that people within this zone are in immediate danger and must act without delay to ensure their survival. The fire remains uncontained and uncontrolled, burning ferociously in a westerly direction.
Immediate Threat and Evacuation Directives
The severity of the Bullsbrook fire has led to significant disruptions and safety concerns. Road closures are in effect for Davidson Street and Bingham Road, specifically north of their intersection with Pine Road, to manage traffic and ensure public safety. Local residents as far away as Joondalup have reported ash raining down from the blaze, indicating the significant scale and intensity of the fire front.
The iconic Outback Splash water park, a major local attraction, falls directly within the evacuation zone. Park management confirmed its closure from 2:25 PM on Wednesday, prioritizing the safety of its staff and visitors. Authorities have issued explicit instructions for those in the danger zone:
- If it is safe to do so, leave immediately via Neaves Road or Tonkin Highway. Do not wait, as last-minute departures can be deadly.
- Take an emergency kit, which should include essential documents, medications, and supplies.
- If leaving is not an option, prepare to shelter in your home. Close all doors and windows, turn off evaporative air conditioners (but keep water running through the system if possible), and move to a room that offers the best protection from the approaching fire.
- It is too dangerous to return home if you are currently outside the affected area.
Broader Fire Situation in Perth’s North
The Bullsbrook fire originated near the interchange of Tonkin Highway and Neaves Road, approximately 43 kilometers north of Perth’s city center. News helicopter footage from ABC News showed plumes of white smoke rising from fields just meters from a fruit farm on Davidson Street, with the smoke continuing to gush from swampy terrain. Aerial water bombers have been deployed, working in conjunction with numerous fire crews on the ground to combat the blaze.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that an alpaca farm and a strawberry farm in the vicinity have been impacted, with a shed reportedly destroyed and concerns for animal welfare. The temperature in Perth on Wednesday reached 30 degrees Celsius, contributing to the challenging conditions for firefighters.
This incident follows an earlier emergency warning issued for a separate bushfire burning further south, near Landsdale, which has since been downgraded. That previous fire, originating in the Gnangara pine plantation, produced large plumes of black smoke. Residents in suburban neighborhoods east of the Landsdale blaze were advised to be vigilant against potential ember attacks, highlighting the pervasive fire risk across the region.
Australia’s Widespread Fire Challenges
The situation in Perth is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather and fire activity across Australia. Victoria, on the country’s eastern seaboard, has been grappling with an intense heatwave, recording preliminary temperatures as high as 48.9 degrees Celsius in its north-west. The Carlisle River fire in the Otways region of Victoria is believed to have destroyed three homes, with two fires burning at emergency levels across the state, exacerbated by winds gusting up to 70 kilometers per hour, according to Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman of Forest Fire Management Victoria. Furthermore, the city of Adelaide in South Australia experienced its hottest night on record, with temperatures remaining above 34.1 degrees Celsius before 7 AM on Tuesday.
The ongoing bushfire emergency in Perth underscores the significant and immediate risks posed by Australia’s hot and dry conditions, with authorities prioritizing public safety through rapid response and clear evacuation directives to mitigate potential loss of life and property.