Eyre Highway remains closed in WA amid bushfire

The highway link across the Nullabor in Western Australia has been closed as a fire burns out of control, with travellers urged to reconsider their plans in coming days.

The Eyre Highway is closed between Norseman and Caiguna and a watch-and-act alert is in place for people travelling on the road near the Balladonia Roadhouse and the southern part of Balladonia.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said people at the Balladonia Roadhouse should leave and head west to Norseman.

Earlier on Wednesday, Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm warned the highway may be closed as firefighters battling the blaze contended with strong winds and high temperatures.

"We've deployed extra resources to the fire ground to help bring it under control," he said.

The fire was first reported on February 7 and has burnt 16,794 hectares.

In Perth, the arson squad is investigating if a flare sparked a bushfire that threatened homes and patrons at an ice skating rink and a theme park in the city's south.

People in Adventure World and Cockburn Ice Arena in Bibra Lake were told to shelter in place late on Tuesday as the blaze ripped through seven hectares of bushland.

It has since been controlled but not contained, according to a  Department of Fire and Emergency Services alert issued on Wednesday.

WA Police say the blaze initially started about 2.20am and was extinguished by firefighters.

But it re-ignited about 12 hours later at 2.40pm due to the extreme weather conditions.

"(It) quickly became a significant bushfire, threatening lives and homes," a spokesman said.

Police said there were unconfirmed reports a flare had been spotted before the fire started early on Tuesday morning.

Investigators want to speak to anyone who saw the flare or any suspicious people in the area between 2am and 2.30am.

Bus

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store