Bushfires have authorities warning three highways in Goldfields-Esperance region might need to be closed

Three main highways in the Goldfields-Esperance region are under threat of closure as out-of-control bushfires continue to burn. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services on Sunday highlighted the threats to Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, Eyre Highway, and Great Eastern Highway. DFES said a bushfire advice was in place for people travelling along Coolgardie-Esperance Highway south of Norseman between Dundas Rocks and Love Grave to the north, and the area south of Dundas and Lake Dundas to the east. It said there was a lot of smoke in the area, with the fire moving in a northerly direction and remaining out-of-control and unpredictable. DFES on Sunday morning said Coolgardie-Esperance Highway was open but might need to be closed at short notice. It said the fire started near the intersection of Dundas Rocks Road and Old Coach Road on Friday evening. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, local government and DFES personnel were actively fighting the fire. DFES also highlighted the threat to Eyre Highway from a fire south of the road which started near Southern Hills Pastoral Station on December 2, which had burned 18,000ha as of Sunday morning. It said there was a lot of smoke in the area and the highway might have to be closed in the coming days, while all campgrounds between Norseman and Balladonia had been closed. DFES said firefighters were actively fighting the fire and strengthening containment lines, with the fire moving in a south-westerly direction, and not contained or controlled. It also said a bushfire which started on Thursday was threatening to affect Great Eastern Highway in the area from Yellowdine to Mt Palmer and Boorabbin to Bullabulling. Like the other two fires, this one was creating a lot of smoke in the area, with firefighters on scene actively fighting it.