'Scary' Perth bushfire is unprecedented, says veteran volunteer

The firefighters on the front lines in Perth are battling against exhaustion as well as walls of ferocious flame — but they're not about to give up.

First Lieutenant Craig Pabst was in a fire truck that took a chilling video of flames closing in on the road as the vehicle hurtled forward.

"That was scary without a doubt, you just know you've got to keep going and get out of there," he said.

READ MORE: Residents confront devastation of Perth fire

"This is the first time we've experienced anything like that."

The 50-year-old is part of the Wooroloo Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, based only a few kilometres from where the massive blaze erupted on Monday afternoon.

The small crew, consisting of about a dozen volunteers, has barely stopped.

READ MORE: More than 70 homes destroyed around Perth

"We've had people do double shifts over the last couple of days … this is our backyard," First Lieutenant Pabst said.

His fellow volunteer Gerard said he was often asked why he'd head towards a fire while everybody else was driving away.

"The way I look at it, if we don't go out and fight the fire, who else will do it?" he said.

So far at least 71 homes have been destroyed and thousands of hectares burnt.

Hundreds of residents in the Shady Hills estate and East Bullsbrook area have been told to evacuate immediately if they are not prepared to fight the fire, which is expected to reach homes shortly.

Hundreds more are already in evacuation centres set up around the city, waiting to see what will be left of their property when they return.