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An uncontrolled bushfire in WA's south west has prompted warnings overnight from the Parks and Wildlife Service.
Residents in parts of Callcup, Crowea and Meerup are being warned to prepare to leave as the blaze poses a possible threat to homes and lives in parts of the Manjimup Shire.
Fast-moving and unpredictable bushfires in both Perth's south and east had earlier sparked emergency warnings but these have since been downgraded.
EMERGENCY WA: Visit for the latest warnings and advice
The bushfire in Serpentine is now considered contained and the fire threat level has been reduced, with the evacuation centre at Serpentine Jarrahdale Community Recreation Centre closed.
Earlier the blaze burnt through 70 hectares even after heavy earthmoving equipment was brought in to create fire breaks ahead of the fire.
Waterbombers and Helitaks repeatedly dumped water from the air, while hundreds of crew attacked the flames from the ground.
Huge plumes of smoke as far as the eye can see sparked panic across Keysbrook, Nambeelup and North Dandalup with an air tanker that arrived from New South Wales just yesterday put to use already.
Communities have been warned challenging weather conditions are still ahead, despite several blazes being downgraded across the state.
Homes lost
The fresh warnings come as fires flattened multiple homes in Parkerville and claimed at least one home in Perth's south.
The 9News helicopter captured the desperate but failed attempt to save the property after a fireball erupted, sending flames onto the roof, the blaze claiming what was once a sprawling estate.
Meanwhile, in Parkerville, the Moody family's property was one of three destroyed in the ferocious blaze, fuelled by easterly winds.
A day shy of their 17th anniversary of moving into the home and just days out from Christmas, they've been left homeless and sifting through the rubble.
"Our son had his 17th birthday the day before the fire so all his presents, everything all gone, all the Christmas presents are gone," Julie Moody told media.
The fire, which has now been contained, gutted the three-storey family home in just six minutes.
"It's so surreal, it's going to take a while to fathom the enormity of this."
"It's going to be a not so pleasant Christmas this year but at least we will never forget it."
At a press conference earlier today, premier Roger Cook confirmed at least three homes and multiple sheds in Parkerville had been destroyed with urban search and rescue teams currently undertaking rapid damage assessments.
"Watching those flames destroy those homes was absolutely heartbreaking and distressing," Cook said.
"This is heartbreaking news especially so close to Christmas.
"On behalf of WA, I want you to know our hearts are with you and we are thinking of you and your loss."
While the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) WA Commissioner, Darren Klemm, praised the crews responding to the bushfires.
"It's something people out in the community should be very proud of – particularly volunteers and career firefighters who are putting themselves behind the needs of the community when these difficult incidents occur," he said.
'Not out of the woods yet'
Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said while several blazes have been downgraded, the state was "not out of the woods yet".
"We do have another extreme weather event ahead," he said.
"We are facing challenging weather conditions particularly on Boxing Day."
Although the state requires no additional resources, Dawson said a long, hot and dry summer was ahead.
"Fires can move incredibly fast. Lots of people are going away for the holidays," he said.
"We urge people to have a bushfire plan in place, be safe. Fifteen minutes could save your life."
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Klemm warned of more hot weather and easterly winds that could prove challenging.
"Certainly there is still some difficult weather ahead of us as we head into Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. (There is) a little bit of a respite today, but it is an opportunity for people to revisit their 'My Bushfire Plan'," he said.
Residents have been advised to stay up to date with the latest warnings and advice on the DFES website.
