SYDNEY, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Residents in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia (WA) were on Wednesday afternoon ordered to evacuate immediately due to the danger posed by two separate life-threatening bushfires.
The WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said in an emergency warning issued at 1:45 p.m. local time that residents of Gnangara, 20 km north of central Perth, should leave immediately if it is safe to do so.
The warning said that the fire, which started in a pine plantation, was out of control and threatening lives and homes.
"Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger," it said.
A separate DFES warning issued shortly before 2 p.m. said that a fire burning near Bullsbrook, 15 km northeast of Gnangara, was also threatening lives and homes and that residents should leave for a safer place.
People in the path of either fire who cannot evacuate have been advised to prepare to shelter indoors in a room with running water.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that thick plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from the Gnangara pine plantation. ■
