Western Australia faces bushfire threat as cold, wet and bumpy Sydney to Hobart yacht race forecast

Western Australia fire authorities have declared bushfire emergency warnings at Cowalla and Boddington Goldmine. Photograph: Aaron Bunch/AAP

Perth exceeded its Christmas Day forecast of 40C as a heatwave created extreme fire danger for much of south-west Western Australia.

Residents at Boddington goldmine were being warned it was too late to leave on Thursday afternoon as fire affected evacuation routes. Residents of Cowalla were also warned to leave immediately as fires posed a threat to homes at Bidaminna Place and Millbank Road.