Live updates: Perth hills bushfires 7:36pm: Wrap of today's events... Residents in Perth's hills where a fire tore through on Sunday, destroying 46 houses and damaging others, are yet to return to their homes. Many are hoping to get more information about the situation at a community meeting at Brown Park in Swan View at 4pm on Monday. 6:25pm: Latest Watch and Act issued... A bushfire Watch and Act remains for people in the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena in the Shire of Mundaring. The fire started between Johnston Road and Granite Road in Parkerville. Bushfire behaviour The bushfire is contained but not controlled. Firefighters are expecting strong gusty south westerly winds during the afternoon. The strong gusty winds are likely to cause flare ups. What to do If you are at home, do not try to leave as conditions in the area could be very dangerous and you will not be able to return. Safer place The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has also set up a temporary evacuation centre at Brown Park in Swan View on the corner of Amherst Road and Salisbury Road. 6:14pm: The loss of 46 homes in Western Australia's latest catastrophic bushfire is another sign some homeowners are not prepared for the worst, the state's emergency services minister says. Four people were unaccounted on Monday afternoon, after the chaotic blaze swept through Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena on Sunday. WA Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis admitted he was frustrated that the fire preparation message was not getting through. Absolutely I am frustrated - everyone must have been sick of me saying 'are you ready?' Mr Francis said. A lot of homeowners have done that, but some people don't do the right thing. What do you suggest - I force people to chop down trees? You have got to find a balance between regulation and responsibility. WA authorities spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote their 'Are You Ready?' message this year, using VC winner Ben Roberts-Smith as the figurehead. "It is disappointing when you hear stories of people at 1pm in the afternoon on the roof with blower vacs, blowing out the gutters," Mr Francis said. Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson said there were homes throughout the state that were "indefensible." "Fuel load is the only variable in a fire that man has the potential to control, so as I have underscored time and again, the more we prepare the less likely there will be catastrophic consequences," he said. There are homes throughout WA that are, in the wrong set of circumstances, indefensible. So an on-team leader on the ground will make an assessment how much risk he will expose his defensive team to. Despite the loss of property, Commissioner Gregson had nothing but praise for the firefighters who battled the blaze. "I just can't say how proud of how I am with everyone who responded - but there is only so much you can do in the face of Mother Nature," he said. [For] some volunteers yesterday, this was their fourth job - we have got a lot of tired people. And a lot of them will be feeling very deflated because despite their best endeavours we have lost a number of houses, and they feel that quite personally. But for their actions many, many more people would be affected by this fire. 5:59pm: Hundreds of worried residents packed a community meeting at the Brown Park Community Centre this morning. Another meeting will be held at 4pm today. 4:25pm: Bushfire Watch and Act has been issued for eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena in the Shire of Mundaring. Firefighters are expecting strong gusty south-westerly winds during the afternoon. 4:15pm: Four people are unaccounted for and 46 homes and two sheds have been destroyed by a ferocious bushfire in the Perth hills. The blaze, which burned through 650 hectares in the Shire of Mundaring on Sunday, has been contained but 275 firefighters were still battling to bring it under control. Weather conditions have improved since reports of flames 20m high, and a warning for people in the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena has been downgraded to a watch and act alert. A 62-year-old man in nearby Hovea collapsed on the roof of his house and died on Sunday afternoon. The fate of animals including horses, chickens and pets is still unknown but residents are bracing for the worst. "We're on quite a slope, so the fire raced up the hill," he told Radio 6PR. Mundaring Shire president Helen Dullard said knowing so many homes had been lost increased the devastation "tremendously," and many residents were relieved to escape the flames. The state government will contribute a million dollars towards the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund, which has been activated to raise and co-ordinate donations to support victims. Insurers have declared the fire a catastrophic event. Aleisha Orr: Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hairbrushes and hair lackies are now considered luxuries for those who have had to evacuate their homes in the fire ravaged Perth hills. Laura Bellomo and Jen Schelfhout set up the Perth Hills Bushfire Assistance Facebook page when they heard of the devastation from the bushfires in Parkerville and Stoneville. "People run out and grab their wallet, a change of clothes and a phone but don't take other bits and pieces," Ms Bellomo said. She said she expected more people to accept donated items following the news at Monday morning's community meeting that road blocks would likely stay in place for a few days. "Until this meeting, people weren't sure when they would be able to go back," she said. Mostly clothes have been donated but other items, such as toys, pet food and toiletries have also. Ms Bellomo said the items people were most in need of are shampoo, conditioner, hairbrushes and hair elastics. Jen Schelfhout and Laura Bellomo Photo: Aleisha Orr After a full assessment of the fire ground in Parkerville and Stoneville, authorities have confirmed 46 homes have been lost, and four people are unaccounted for. DFES Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson, said additional homes had also been partially damaged. The full scale of the damage was revealed as acting premier Kim Hames announced a $1 milllion contribution towards the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief for the fire victims. Immediate funding for some of those affected is also available with payments up to $3000. 3:27pm: DFES have issued a bushfire Advice alert for residents in the City of Swan. A fire was reported at 11.15am on Monday and the cause of the blaze is suspicious. DFES say there is no threat to lives or homes but there is a lot of smoke in the area. Although there is no immediate danger residents need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes. The fire started in pine plantation near Warbrook Road. Fire crews from the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services are mopping up at the scene. They are using six heavy duty vehicles, one front end loader and one dozer. Stoneville resident Jean does not know what has become of her home. Photo: Aleisha Orr About 500 people packed into the Brown Park Recreation Centre on Monday morning, most of them with one question in mind - do I still have a home? The meeting was held to update residents on the situation on the fireground, in Parkerville and Stoneville where 650 hectares of land has been burnt. A spokesman for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services confirmed that they believed 44 homes had been destroyed, with confirmation of 42 of those. More losses are expected as only about 60 to 70 per cent of the fire ground has been assessed. Residents who had evacuated their homes on Sunday and spent the night either at an evacuation centre or at friends or family's houses nearby gave a big round of applause for the firefighters who have been working to put the fire out. The hardest thing for most of the residents who spoke at the community meeting was the not knowing. Road blocks remain in place and residents are not expected to be able to return to their homes for a few days to ensure people are safe. The DFES spokesperson told the crowd that the priority in terms of information was letting the people whose homes had been destroyed. "We cannot give information that is incorrect or wrong," he said. This is leaving those who have not been informed that their homes have been destroyed frustrated as they are unsure what has happened to their home. Jean and George, an elderly couple who have lived in Stoneville for about 24 years are one of many people in this situation. The couple had to leave their home quickly and while they remembered their mobile phone, they did not take the charger and their battery quickly run out. Authorities are telling residents that they will receive a phone call if their house has been lost, but Jean and George do not know if they have received a call. They have contacted the shire as instructed but were told they could not give them any information. Another community meeting will be held at Brown Park at 4pm on Monday. 2:20pm: It could be days before residents are allowed to return home after more than 40 homes were destroyed by a devastating bushfire in the Perth hills. 2:06pm: Latest alert and information from DFES: A bushfire Watch and Act alert remains for people in the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena in the Shire of Mundaring. What firefighters are doing: Firefighters have saved a number of homes in the area. It has been confirmed that 40 homes have been lost at this stage, but this number is expected to increase as damage assessments continue throughout the day. 275 firefighters and personnel from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, volunteer fire and emergency services, Department of Parks and Wildlife, WA Police, Shire of Mundaring, Department for Child Protection and Family Support, St John Ambulance, Western Power and Water Corporation are currently responding to the fire. Urban Search and Rescue firefighters are on the scene continuing the damage assessment. Aerial intelligence is monitoring the hotspots on the fire ground. Homes without power: Western Power has advised that approximately 1000 properties are without power in parts of Parkerville within the following boundaries: Eastern boundary - Alice Road Northern boundary - Trimble Road Western boundary - Stoneville Road Southern boundary - Gill Road/Milligan Road 1:53pm: The Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund (LMDRF) has been activated to raise and coordinate donations to support the victims of the fire currently burning in parts of Perth hills. The LMDRF is the recognised state emergency fund and provides relief for personal hardship and distress arising from natural disasters occurring within Western Australia. No administrative charges are made by the City of Perth for support services provided to the Fund and all money collected goes directly to victims. Donations to the Parkerville Fire Appeal can be made: over the counter at any BankWest branch or agency to the dedicated appeal account BSB 306-089, account 323311-7 via EFT BankWest's appeal account BSB 306-089, account 323311-7 in person at the Customer Service counter at Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace, Perth on the phone for credit card donation, 9461 3886 during normal business hours by mail to LMDRF, Perth Hills Fire Appeal, c/- City of Perth, GPO Box C120 Perth WA 6839 1:24pm: The latest from the community meeting at Brown Park: 13 road blocks are in place and likely to remain for days. 60 fire appliances and 250 personnel are at the scene and 650 hectares have been burnt. 44 homes are confirmed as destroyed 60 to 70 per cent of fireground has been assessed Mundaring Shire president Helen Dullard addresses a community gathering on Monday, January 13, 2014. 1:12pm: WA Premier Colin Barnett has joined residents gathered at a community meeting over the Perth hills bushfire. So far 44 homes have been confirmed lost in the blaze, but that number is expected to grow as fire crews continue to bring the flames under control. WA Premier Colin Barnett has joined hundreds gathered at a community meeting in Parkerville. Photo: Lisa Barnes, @Barnsy_Lisa 12:18pm: Animal rescue groups across Perth have said they are expecting a busy day on Monday following the fire that ripped through Parkerville. Dozens of families spent Sunday night in evacuation centres, with residents unable to return to their properties and at least 27 homes destroyed. Evacuation centres generally do not allow pets but many were allowed in at the centres set up in response to this fire. Read more here. 12:17pm: Authorities have confirmed 44 homes have been destroyed by a bushfire in the Perth hills. The authorities are expecting the number of houses lost to further rise. The massive fire, which blazed through communities near Mundaring on Sunday afternoon, was contained overnight, but was still not under control. A favourable change in the weather helped the 270 firefighters who battled the 650 hectare blaze, with the warnings downgraded to a watch and act level. One man, a 62-year-old living in nearby Hovea, died when he collapsed while on the roof of his house. St John Ambulance crews were unable to reach him in time. The fate of a number of animals including horses, chickens and pets is still unknown but residents say they are bracing for the worst. Photographs of the damaged properties will be shown to residents to confirm their loss, before they are taken to the ruins. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. A community meeting will be held at 10am to update the locals as to the damage, and when they will be allowed back to their properties. Premier Colin Barnett will also be briefed on the damage this morning. Insurers have already declared the fire a catastrophic event, urging those who have suffered losses to contact their insurers as soon as they can and the claims will be prioritised. A watch and act alert remains in place for people in the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville, and Mount Helena, as well as the western part of Gidgegannup and Chidlow in Mundaring Shire, and the city of Swan. Some firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion and bee stings after battling the fire's flames, which were said to be up to 20 metres high. Two evacuation centres were established, with the Mundaring Recreation Centre filling up with more than 80 evacuees, and a second evacuation centre set up at Brown Park in nearby Swan View. 12:17pm: Courtney Lewis captured this vision of the Parkerville fire in the Shire of Mundaring: Bushfire in Perth Hills RAW VISION: Flames licked the horizon in the Shire of Mundaring on Sunday as waterbombers flew overhead. PT0M15S http://www.smh.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-30pnk 620 349 January 13, 2014 - 12:17PM 12:06pm: The Department of Fire and Emergency Services have issued this latest alert for Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena in the Shire of Mundaring. A bushfire Watch and Act remains for people in the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena in the Shire of Mundaring . BUSHFIRE BEHAVIOUR: The bushfire is contained but not controlled. ALERT LEVEL: A bushfire Advice remains for people in the northern part of Mundaring and Sawyers Valley and the western part Chidlow in the Shire of Mundaring and the western part of Gidgegannup in the City of Swan. 11:50am: The numbers of properties lost in the devastating bushfire in the Perth hills is expected to rise dramatically, as residents wait for the nightmare confirmation their home has gone up in flames. The massive fire which blazed through communities near Mundaring on Sunday afternoon was contained overnight, but is still not under control. Official figures have the properties lost at 27, but emergency authorities and Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis say that figure will rise. This is the nightmare that everyone knows can happen. Yesterday was just catastrophic fire conditions, the heat the night before, the heat in the day and the wind," Mr Francis said. It is ugly, and a catastrophe for this community. I have got very good [firefighter] mates up there hoping they can knock it off this morning. That number of 27 [homes lost] - it will be significantly higher than that. Those who have lost homes will have their worst fears confirmed with pictures of the devastation to be shown to residents to confirm their loss, before they are taken to the ruins. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said a bushfire Watch and Act alert was now in place for people in the eastern part of Parkerville, Stoneville, and Mount Helena, as well as the western part of Gidgegannup and Chidlow in Mundaring Shire, and the city of Swan. A bushfire Advice warning was current for people in the northern part of Mundaring and Sawyers Valley in the Shire of Mundaring, DFES also advised. "Although there is no immediate danger for people in these areas you need to be aware and keep up to date," it added. On Sunday, at least two firefighters had to be treated for heat exhaustion after battling the fire's flames, which were said to be up to 20 metres high.