Bushfire burns near roadhouse

A Bushfire Advice warning has been issued for motorists travelling along Great Northern Highway and Munjina Road, 20km north of Auski Roadhouse in the Shire of Ashburton, over a fire that has been burning on both sides of the highway since Sundaymorning.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has advised there is no threat to lives or homes but drivers have been asked to avoid the area or drive carefully due to a lot of smoke.

A section of Great Northern Highway about 3km north of Auski Roadhouse has been closed temporarily.

Traffic management crews are facilitating traffic through the area when safe but motorists may experience delays.

DFES Pilbara region Superintendent Peter McCarthy said the fire has begun by accident after a road train trailer burst into flames on Great Northern Highway about 5km from the Auski Roadhouse at 10:44am on Sunday, November 6.

The driver was uninjured, but the vehicle fire started blazes on the east and west sides of the highway which have been burning uncontrolled and uncontained since.

The bushfire is moving slowly in a south south-easterly direction.

15 Tom Price Bush Fire Service and Shire of Ashburton firefighters are at the scene, however the area is extremely isolated and the terrain is difficult for firefighters to access.

DFES reported the fire had burnt through about 5000 hectares as of this afternoon, though Supt McCarthy said that was not vast given the size of the area.

He said volunteer firefighters were doing protection burns around Auski Roadhouse in case the fire came closer.

For up-to-date information, contact DFES or Main Roads.