The Kwinana bushfire in Perth spreads into rubbish dump and sparks fume alert

The Kwinana wildfire has been burning for two days and firefighters where starting to gain control until it burnt into a large rubbish dump.

Residents in Perth’s southern suburbs have been warned to try to avoid breathing toxic fumes from a smouldering rubbish dump, but the threat level of a bushfire that has been burning since yesterday has been downgraded.

A watch and act warning remains in place for suburbs in the City of Kwinana, including parts of The Spectacles, Orelia, Medina, Naval Base, Postans, Kwinana Beach and Hope Valley.

Around 100 firefighters are tackling the blaze, which started near the intersection of Thomas Road and Gilmore Avenue in Orelia and is moving slowly in a westerly direction.

The fire has burnt through part of the Kwinana town rubbish tip, prompting a warning from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) about toxic smoke.

Residents in the area have been urged to keep their doors and windows closed and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but to keep water running through them if possible, to avoid the deadly fumes in the air.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-04/kwinana-bushfire-in-southern-perth-enters-second-day/13029324