Firefighters Make Progress in Darlington, Helena Valley
The bushfire that had been causing concern in Perth's eastern suburbs, specifically in Darlington and Helena Valley, has been brought under control. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) downgraded the emergency level to 'Watch and Act' at approximately 5 pm on Friday, February 6, 2026. This decision came after multiple aerial water bombers were deployed to combat the fire, which had initially threatened lives and homes.
The fire, which started on January 2, was suspected to be an arson attack, but the cause remains undetermined. Despite the fire's stationary nature and reduced activity, authorities emphasized the ongoing risk to lives and properties. The affected area, bounded by Coulston Road, Kookaburra Place, Glen Road, Victor Road, and Clayton Road, remains under the 'Watch and Act' alert.
DFES incident controller Tim McGrade reported that the fire had burned through approximately 27 hectares but was not moving significantly. He attributed this to favorable wind conditions and stated that no property damage had been reported, although some residents had lost power. The presence of fallen trees and power lines in the area poses a challenge for residents returning to their homes.
This incident marks the second significant bushfire in the region within a month. In early January, emergency services battled a blaze in a nearby area, resulting in damage to outbuildings and a gazebo. The cause of that fire, which was also suspected to be arson, remains under investigation.
