Quick Read
- Emergency warnings issued for bushfires in Perth’s eastern suburbs and City of Swan.
- Residents in Kenwick, Wattle Grove, Maddington, Beckenham, Bullsbrook, and Upper Swan urged to evacuate immediately.
- At least one house has caught fire; multiple properties are under threat.
- Major roads closed; aerial firefighting crews deployed to contain the blaze.
- Authorities advise those who cannot flee to shelter in rooms with running water and a clear exit.
Bushfire Emergency Sparks Chaos in Perth’s East
On a sweltering December afternoon in 2025, thick plumes of smoke blanketed the skies above Perth’s eastern suburbs. By midday, what began as a bushfire in the bushland east of the Kenwick Wetlands Nature Reserve rapidly escalated, prompting Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to issue an urgent emergency warning. For many, the day began like any other, but soon, the crackle of distant flames and the wail of sirens shattered the routine.
Residents in Kenwick, Wattle Grove, Maddington, and Beckenham found themselves at the epicenter of a crisis. Authorities urged them to leave their homes immediately, stressing that lives and properties were under direct threat. According to WA Today, at least one house along Boundary Road had already caught fire, with several others at risk along Bickley Road and Brook Road. Firefighters, backed by aerial crews, battled to contain the flames as they swept eastward, closing major roads such as Wanaping Road and Bickley Road in a desperate bid to slow the fire’s advance.
Evacuation Orders and Rapid Response
The scale of the emergency became clear as smoke began to impact Roe Highway, and a vast area bounded by Welshpool Road East, Tonkin Highway, Kenwick Road, Brixton Street, and Roe Highway was placed under the highest alert. The message from authorities was unequivocal: leave now, and head south toward Albany Highway, taking only essential emergency kits. For those unable to flee or choosing to stay behind, DFES advised immediate sheltering in a room with running water—a kitchen or laundry—and a clear exit route.
In moments like these, choices become stark. “If you are not at home, it is too dangerous to return,” read the warning on the EmergencyWA website, underscoring the unpredictability and speed of bushfires. These words, though simple, carried the weight of hard-earned experience from past Australian fire seasons.
Bullsbrook and Upper Swan: A Second Front
Just as crews scrambled to contain the fire in Perth’s east, another emergency warning flared in the City of Swan, specifically in Bullsbrook and Upper Swan. Reported just before 1pm, this blaze was described as neither contained nor controlled, rapidly moving in a northeasterly direction. Aerial support was once again deployed, with ground crews racing to keep the flames from swallowing homes and bushland.
Walyunga National Park was promptly closed, and authorities warned that some local roads could become impassable. Residents faced the difficult decision: leave behind their possessions and memories, or risk being trapped by the fire’s unpredictable path. The sense of urgency was palpable throughout the region as families loaded cars, grabbed pets, and navigated smoke-choked streets toward safety.
Community and the Relentless Challenge of Bushfire Season
For Western Australians, bushfires are an all-too-familiar threat. Yet, each new blaze brings fresh challenges. The rapid escalation and scale of the current emergency highlight the fragility of life on the edge of bushland. While firefighting crews—both on the ground and in the air—risk their lives to protect homes and natural reserves, residents are reminded of the importance of vigilance, preparation, and community solidarity.
As the day wore on, the situation remained fluid. The full extent of the damage—both to property and the local environment—was still unknown. Authorities warned that more updates would follow as conditions developed. For now, the focus remained on saving lives and containing the fires before they could inflict greater devastation.
Assessment: The unfolding bushfire crisis in Perth’s east and the City of Swan underscores the relentless, unpredictable nature of Australia’s fire seasons. While rapid emergency response and clear communication have undoubtedly saved lives, the event is a sobering reminder of the region’s vulnerability and the ongoing need for preparedness, investment in firefighting resources, and community resilience in the face of natural disasters.