Wet weather relief for NSW and Queensland firefighters while blazes encroach south of Perth

Showers and possible storms are forecast for large parts of NSW and Queensland over the weekend. Firefighters will remain on high alert as blazes continue to threaten homes across both states. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Communities across Australia’s east coast are hoping a wet weekend will bring a reprieve to firefighters as rainfall starts to set in across New South Wales and Queensland.

But the bushfire threat has arisen in the west as parts of Western Australia experience extreme fire risk with threats to properties south of Perth.