The Commonwealth Government will provide assistance for communities in Western Australia hit by severe bushfires over the past 72 hours.

At least 68 homes in the south-eastern suburbs of Roleystone and Kelmscott have been destroyed by the fire, which started on Sunday.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the activation of assistance follows the declaration by the Western Australian Government of five Local Government Areas as natural disaster zones – the City of Armadale, City of Canning, Shire of Chittering, Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and the City of Swan.

The declaration gives communities who have been impacted by the bushfires access to joint Commonwealth/State Government assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

This includes emergency assistance for people who have suffered personal hardship, infrastructure rebuilding, small business support and support for primary producers.

Mr McClelland said “This is obviously an incredibly difficult time for the hundreds of residents who’ve lost their homes or have been forced to evacuate.

“Two Ericsson heavy-lift helicopters – jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government as part of the National Aerial Firefighting Capability – are enroute to Western Australia from Victoria.

“The Commonwealth Government stands ready to offer any further assistance to help authorities and the community deal with these devastating fires.”