A huge bushfire has engulfed Yarloop in Western Australia and is threatening nearby towns
Nearly 100 homes have been destroyed in Yarloop, a historic town
Three people have been reported missing
Nearly 60,000 hectares (600 sq km) of land around Perth have been burned
All times GMT
Australia has official advice for people facing a bushfires, external, urging: "Put your safety first - do not wait and see."
"Act decisively the moment you know there is danger. Whether you choose to leave for a safer place or shelter in a well prepared and defendable home, preparation is the key for survival."
Organisers of the Southbound music festival have announced the tour will be cancelled due to the fire. They said on Facebook , externalthat they will be donating food to firefighters, and helping people donate their refunds to those affected by the fire.
The Western Australia department of fire and emergency services has been mapping their fire alerts on this page. , externalIts latest update shows an emergency warning for areas south of Perth, with advisories for areas further north and east. The city of Perth has an all-clear for now.
Image source, DFESThere are reports on Twitter of people being hit by lightning from the thunderstorm.
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#Yarloop, external is the biggest trending topic on Twitter in Australia right now. Thousands of users across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth are actively sharing updates, photos and videos of the fires as well as hopes for the flames to "die out soon".
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Hopes have been raised with an incoming rainstorm, but it is also bringing in severe lightning.
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Emergency services commissioner Wayne Gregson told reporters that Yarloop had lost "some of the historical buildings, the workshops, some factories" as well suffering damage to the local school, post offices, shops and to the town's fire station.
ABC video journalist Roxanne Taylor filed this video report of the massive rainstorm starting to build in Waroona.
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ABC News in Perth have tweeted this image from Yarloop
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Western Australia residents have been sharing pictures of the growing fire since Thursday.
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The fire has already consumed one-third of the historic town of Yarloop, where many homes are built out of weatherboard and timber. About 95 homes and a number of historic buildings have been burned down.
Three people are missing, report Australian media.
The fire has now burned through more than 50,000 (500 sq km) hectares and is threatening towns including Harvey and Preston Beach. Firefighters are experiencing difficulty battling the blaze as they are encountering strong winds.
Wind gusts of up to 60km/h (37mph) overnight have fanned the fire which is reaching heights of 50m. It is threatening towns and has already devastated the historic mill town of Yarloop.
Welcome to our coverage tracking the Waroona fire – a massive blaze that is currently sweeping across towns south of Perth in Western Australia.