Firefighters defend homes against raging bushfires near Bridgetown, Western Australia

Firefighters battled to protect property from a bushfire fuelled by temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius near Bridgetown, Western Australia, on February 5. Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said firefighters had fought a “firestorm” on the night of February 5, describing it as a “hellish night under pressure from variable winds, showers of embers & oppressive heat.” The Bureau of Meteorology had forecast “extreme” to “catastrophic” fire conditions in the state’s southwest over the weekend before a cold front was expected to drop temperatures as much as 20 degrees. The Bridgetown fire had burned an estimated 2,227 hectares by February 6, the DFES said. Videos published by the DFES on February 6 show fire crews driving through a fire-affected area, an airplane dropping pink flame retardant and firefighters battling to defend properties. Credit: DFES via Storyful