Firefighters are continuing to battle a series of bushfires sparked by lightning across a huge section of southern Western Australia overnight.
Key points:
- Three watch and acts are in place for the Shire of Ravensthorpe, with another current in the Shire of Coolgardie
- Listen to ABC Great Southern 558AM and 630AM and ABC Goldfields-Esperance 648AM and 837AM, or check Emergency WA for the latest information
- Other bushfires have burned closed to Great Eastern Highway and Eyre Highway in the Goldfields
At least 20 fires started in the Great Southern, Goldfields and Esperance on Tuesday afternoon when severe thunderstorms hit the region.
Livestock and a shed have been lost near Esperance.
At its peak yesterday afternoon an Emergency Warning was issued for a bushfire near Ravensthorpe.
Two watch and act alerts remain in place for the Shire of Ravensthorpe.
A separate watch and act is in place for a bushfire in the Shire of Coolgardie.
The largest fire, to the east of Ravensthorpe, has burned through more than 12,000 hectares of bushland.
The South Coast Highway remains closed from West River Road to Newdegate Ravensthorpe Road.
There is no detour in place and drivers are urged to avoid the area.
A community meeting will be held at Ravensthorpe town hall at 2:00pm today.
Favourable conditions, including rain, are expected in the region tomorrow.
Farmers assessing damage
Farmer and Cascade volunteer fire fighter Tom Carmody said the fire quickly jumped the highway after sparking in windy conditions.
"Unfortunately we lost a shed, some hay, grain stored and some cattle," he said.
"People who drive the South Coast Highway between Esperance and Ravensthorpe would be quite familiar with the Young River shed — it was that shed."
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Great Southern Superintendent Wayne Green said conditions had eased but fire crews were remaining vigilant.
"We've got crews in the right places today," he said.
"We urge the community to remain vigilant … our warnings may escalate or de-escalate as fire conditions on the ground change, so keep eyes and ears peeled."
Superintendent Green urged drivers to abide by road closures signs to avoid putting themselves or emergency services at risk.
Ravensthorpe shire president Keith Dunlop has praised the community and emergency services for their efforts in trying to get the fire under control.
“Our local brigades would have put in long hours last night, and we thank them for the effort,” he said.
Mr Dunlop said at this stage there have been no reports of property damage
The emergency comes two weeks after major bushfires hit the Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun areas.
During those bushfires two pilots miraculously survived when a 737 water bomber plane crashed into bushland.