Wild fires have destroyed more than 40 homes and burnt 13400 hectares of land when two major bushfires broke out on Tuesday afternoon in Toodyay and Badgingarra, two townships situated in the northern part of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Hundreds of people fled for their lives as the flames up to six feet high driven by 30 mph winds razed homes, powerlines and nearby vegetation.

A resident was taken for hospital after he burnt severely while two fire fighters were treated for smoke inhalation. Another firefighter was taken to hospital for heat stroke. The farmers reported the deaths of many livestock and many others lost their home and business.

The fire was controlled on Wednesday late afternoon by the efforts of four water bombing helicopters and hundreds of fire fighters. State Premier Colin Barnett declared a natural disaster, freeing up emergency funds for those in need.

Fire fighters have contained two major bushfires started in Port Lincoln and Ninga Ninga in South Australia. More than 850 hectares were burnt in Port Lincoln in the fire. About five fire fighters were injured mostly through smoke inhalation. The local State Emergency Service Center, nine houses, eleven sheds were also destroyed in the bushfire. This was the second time the place Port Lincoln experiencing extreme fire risk. In January this a fire destroyed several homes and two tuna fishing operations at Port Lincoln.

The fire started in Ninga Ninga has burnt 1500 hectares of grassland. Three farms were under severe threat here but favourable weather conditions helped the crews to bring the fire under control. The eight districts in South Australia were under catastrophic fire threat on the day the fire started in Ninga Ninga and Port Lincoln. There were seven water bombing aircrafts including an Ericcson sky crane helipcoptor, about 140 CFA fire fighters and 35 fire fighters from other agencies to control the fire in Port Lincoln.

Neighbourhood safer places, as places of last resort are identified by the Community Fire Authority (CFA) to give protection from radiant heat in case of a bushfire. Such places may afford some protection from radiant heat and fire threat, however the safety of the people depend on a number of factors like intensity and direction of the fire, the congestion and traffic during such periods etc.The reliance on places of last resort should not in any way affect the preparation of a bushfire survival plan. The following general risks are associated with places of last resorts and therefore everybody should be aware of this before proceeding to such places.

• Going to safer places is only an option when other means to escape early has failed.
• Travelling to a safer place especially distant ones may be dangerous because of the traffic block, congestion, heavy smoke, accidents, fallen trees and general panic situation.
• The availability of emergency services can not be always guaranteed in a safer place.
• There is no provision for accommodating pets.
• No amenities like foods, drinks, toilets, may be there in a neighbourhood safer place.