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Traumatic trip to burnt-out homes

As fire crews mopped up the $13 million Parkerville blaze to avoid a flare-up next weekend, residents were escorted back to their properties to see the damage for the first time.

Emotions ran high as residents walked through what remained of their houses, many reduced to rubble.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services metropolitan area assistant commissioner Brad Stringer said the fire, which burnt almost 400ha, was safely contained.

But firefighters were targeting hotspots ahead of windy conditions and forecast temperatures of 38C this weekend.

Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson said DFES was working with Mundaring Shire and utilities to get residents home as quickly and safely as possible.

Residents in the "warm zone" - adjoining the fireground - were given permits for restricted access to their homes yesterday.

"They may or may not have power, but at least it gives them the opportunity to check on their property, check on hygiene issues with fridges and freezers off, and get the community back into recovery as soon as possible," Mr Stringer said.

But the hot zone remained too dangerous, creating frustration among those wanting to see their homes.

A DFES rapid assessment team had done its first assessment of the fire zone, but Mr Stringer said satellite imagery would now be used to find out whether any other properties away from the road were damaged.

He said this meant the number of homes destroyed could rise from 52.

Mr Stringer said the tour of the fire-ravaged area was confronting.

"It's very traumatic and stressful for people," he said.

"To be told verbally of destruction to your property is one thing. To visually observe it is another.

"The biggest take away they had is they are there with their family. They had their family support to start with, and they can build from there."


DFES deputy commissioner Lloyd Bailey told those who had not lost homes that they would feel a range of emotions.

"But please don't feel any guilt that your homes survived and others didn't," he told yesterday's community meeting at Brown Park in Swan View.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis said WA was facing a challenging fire season and urged landowners to ensure they were as prepared as possible.

"There are no guarantees that this is the last major incident of the year," he said.

"We have to be prepared."

Among the hundreds of Hills residents taken back to their homes were Brian and Margaret Griffin.

They have lived on their 1.6ha property in Higginson Road, Stoneville, for 14 years.

For Mr Griffin, Sunday's fire made him want to leave.

"I've had enough, this is it," he said.

He believes the ferocious blaze came within 50m of their house.

"Every single summer it's a worry … even someone flicking a cigarette butt from a car can spark a bushfire," he said.

Mrs Griffin wants to stay in the area, even if it is on a smaller block.