Thousands told to leave

SYDNEY: Strong winds threatening to fan a bushfire yesterday prompted Perth authorities to urge thousands of people in the city to leave their homes, complicating a lockdown after the state detected its first coronavirus infection in 10 months.

The fire has destroyed a swathe of more than 9000ha and 71 homes, the authorities say, in a reminder of blazes that destroyed millions of hectares of habitat in the country’s east a year ago.

As firefighters battled a blaze in steep, inhospitable terrain, authorities told residents of Bullsbrook, a suburb of 6600 in Australia’s fourth largest city, to ignore a stayhome order and leave immediately as hot, dry weather picked up.

‘‘We know how quickly things can go bad,’’ state premier Mark McGowan told a news conference.

‘‘They are expecting extremely strong winds. That is why we are saying, if you can leave, please leave now. Please act to save your life.’’

No deaths have been reported from the fires so far. — Reuters