Two bushfires in Perth’s north-east and south-eastern suburbs have been downgraded to watch and act alerts, after burning at emergency levels for hours.<\/p>\n
Residents in parts of Upper Swan and Bullsbrook, on the city’s north-eastern fringe, have been told to monitor conditions, as have residents in parts of Kenwick, Wattle Grove, Maddington and Beckenham in the city’s south-east.<\/p>\n
Fire authorities downgraded the Kenwick blaze to watch and act about 6:45pm local time due to easing conditions, while the Bullsbrook blaze was downgraded soon after as firefighters got the fire stationary \u2014 however a south-easterly wind change was expected around 8pm local time for Bullsbrook.<\/p>\n
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said there remained a possible threat to lives and homes for both blazes, and that conditions could change.<\/p>\n
The downgrade came after crews spent hours fighting the Kenwick bushfire, which sparked up just after midday.<\/p>\n
At around 7pm local time, the DFES confirmed they had to stop aerial support at Kenwick due to an unauthorised drone being flown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Firefighters respond to the fire tearing through bushland in Kenwick. (ABC News: Kenith Png)<\/p>\n
DFES superintendent Peter Norman said no homes had been lost in the Kenwick fire.<\/p>\n
“We can confirm one shed [was destroyed], obviously fire has come up against outbuildings and sheds, being a semi-rural area, but crews have done their best to keep them out,” he said.<\/p>\n
Superintendent Norman said the “main difficulties” were caused by resources being spread thin between separate bushfires.<\/p>\n
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DFES superintendent Peter Norman is warning of challenging weather conditions in coming days. (ABC News: Kenith Png)<\/p>\n
“There’s still parts of it there with flames probably up to 10 metres high, and still moving at least a kilometre an hour, and continuously spotting into private property.”<\/p>\n
He warned of challenging conditions ahead with weather conditions forecast to be extreme on the weekend, and temperatures in the high 30s expected.<\/p>\n
“I think this is our reprieve before the weekend hits. So it’s going to be very important to mop this up,” he said.<\/p>\n
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Perth Airport’s main runway was shut for some time this afternoon for safety reasons because of the amount of helitankers in the area fighting the blaze, a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Four international flights were delayed, but the runway has since reopened.<\/p>\n
The fire has burnt about 93 hectares, and it’s unclear how it started.<\/p>\n
Infernos could be seen flaring up in bushland near powerlines across the road from homes and other buildings, with fires sparking just metres away from vehicles.<\/p>\n
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Firefighters are battling the blaze. (ABC News: Kenith Png)<\/p>\n
Aerial support planes and helicopters flew over the area to aid firefighting efforts, contending with thick plumes of smoke blanketing the sky.<\/p>\n
The area is a mix of semi-rural properties, suburban homes and businesses.<\/p>\n
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Flames engulfed trees as a fire threatened properties in Perth’s south east. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
A number of local roads were closed, while the fire was impacting traffic on Roe Highway and Tonkin Highway.<\/p>\n
The temperature in Perth had reached 30 degrees Celsius by midday today, with a high fire danger forecast.<\/p>\n
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A ball of fire could be seen rising from the fire zone in Kenwick. (ABC News: Kenith Png)<\/p>\n
Aerial support was sent to the fire, which was first reported at 12:12pm.<\/p>\n
Rehoboth Christian College was evacuated, with the fire burning in the adjacent Kenwick Wetlands.<\/p>\n
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A fire has broken out in the south-eastern Perth suburb of Kenwick. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
Plumes of thick smoke and walls of flame could be seen from an aerial view of the fire captured via helicopter.<\/p>\n
A spokeswoman at Perth Airport, which is nearby, said no flights had been impacted at this stage.<\/p>\n
WA authorities provide an update on the Kenwick bushfire.<\/p>\n
7h agoThu 11 Dec 2025 at 9:09am<\/p>\n
A final word from WA’s fire department<\/p>\n
As the press conference wraps, Superintendent Norman is asked for one last bit of advice to residents.<\/p>\n
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