Bushfires destroy homes in WA

NICK MOIR - SMH

BUSHFIRE ALERT: Firefighters hope cooler weather will help them battle blazes in WA.

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Cooler temperatures are expected to slow the spread of two out-of-control bushfires that have destroyed homes in Western Australia's wheatbelt.

The full extent of the damage near Perth will not be known until later on Wednesday when fire officials survey the devastated region in a helicopter.

The two blazes consumed over 7000ha of land since they started on Tuesday morning and early afternoon.

Residents had been forced from their homes, facing catastrophic fire danger warnings as the blazes crept near the southern end of the township of Toodyay.

A bushfire has burned over 2700ha in the region, about 85km northeast of Perth.

About 200 firefighters battled through the night to stop the slow moving fire as it burned in an east and northeasterly direction.

Multiple homes have been destroyed but there are no confirmed reports of major injuries or fatalities at this time, a spokesman for the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) said on Wednesday.

A second blaze in Badgingarra, about 160km north of Perth, has burned over 5000ha and is believed to have destroyed several farm sheds, he said.

The fire has slowed overnight but is still burning out of control in an easterly direction.

Cooler temperatures in Western Australia are expected to ease the fire threat and help control the two major blazes on Wednesday.

"The weather we're expecting today will certainly assist in fire fighting efforts," a FESA spokesman said.

There is a slight chance of a light shower in the later afternoon.

Residents were told on Tuesday evening to leave their homes as fire crews fought the blazes with four helicopters.

Some homes were saved but others were lost.

"This emergency warning means that if you are in this area your best option for survival is away from the fire. Relocating at the last minute is deadly," FESA said.