Bushfires battled overnight near Perth, WA on February 6, as wind and conditions expected to worsen

Rain relief is imminent after another dangerous night on the frontline of a devastating bushfire in the Perth Hills that has destroyed at least 86 homes.

Hopes are high that forecast weekend rain will help firefighters get on top of the week-long blaze as a tropical low tracks towards the southwest.

But weary firefighters are expected to face their toughest challenge, with conditions forecast to worsen before they get better.

Hopes are high that forecast weekend rain will help firefighters get on top of the week-long blaze as a tropical low tracks towards the southwest (pictured, a home destroyed on Friday in Perth Hills)

Weary firefighters are expected to face their toughest challenge, with conditions forecast to worsen before they get better (pictured, a destroyed property in Gidgegannup on Wednesday)

‘We are expecting incredibly strong winds – stronger than we’ve had already – tomorrow ahead of that tropical low,’ Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm told reporters on Friday.

‘At this time, we’re being advised that we will see rain on or about the fire ground at approximately 11am (on Saturday). But between now and then, we have still got the challenges of these really strong winds.’ 

West Australian officials on Friday confirmed five more burnt-out homes were identified.

Exhausted firefighters are hoping for rain (pictured, firefighter in the midst of intense fire outside Wooroloo on February 2)

West Australian officials on Friday confirmed five more burnt-out homes were identified. Pictured: Remains of a shed and chicken coup destroyed by a bushfire in Gidgegannup from February 4

Emergency warnings remain in place for parts of Avon Valley National Park, Brigadoon, Bullsbrook, Gidgegannup, Upper Swan and Walyunga National Park. Pictured: Melted water tank is seen outside a house in Gidgegannup on February 4,

Emergency warnings remain in place for parts of Avon Valley National Park, Brigadoon, Bullsbrook, Gidgegannup, Upper Swan and Walyunga National Park.

People bound by Clenton Road, O’Brien Road and Ewing Road have been warned there is still uncontained fire activity, and should leave now if they intend to do so and the means of exit are clear.

The fire has burned almost 11,000 hectares in total.

Efforts to allow some residents to return home are continuing with areas east of Toodyay Road opening up from 4pm on Friday.

Roads including the Great Northern Highway and Railway Parade have reopened, while speed restrictions on the Tonkin Highway have been removed.

Efforts to allow some residents to return home are continuing with areas east of Toodyay Road opening up from 4pm on Friday (pictured, utility vehicle destroyed by a bushfire on February 4)

Western Power says some 465 homes remain without power, with repairs to damaged electricity networks potentially continuing for weeks (pictured, remains of a house on February 4 in Gidgegannup)

Firefighters have worked overtime to clear damage from seriously affected areas, including fallen powerlines, while also dealing with flare-ups on the northern flank of the bushfire and re-establishing containment lines.

‘You must shelter before the fire arrives as the extreme heat will kill you well before the flames reach you,’ the DFES said on Friday.

Western Power says some 465 homes remain without power, with repairs to damaged electricity networks potentially continuing for weeks.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm (pictured on February 3) told reporters he is expecting ‘incredibly strong winds’ on Saturday 

Emergency warnings remain in place for parts of Avon Valley National Park, Brigadoon, Bullsbrook, Gidgegannup, Upper Swan and Walyunga National Park. Pictured: A map of the fires in WA on February 6