Firefighters are continuing to battle bushfires sparked by lightning across a huge section of southern Western Australia.
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 on Tuesday 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.
An ease in conditions has allowed firefighters from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), Parks and Wildlife and local volunteer brigades to strengthen containment lines around each of the Ravensthorpe fires.
Favourable conditions, including rain, are expected in the region on Thursday.
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."
The operators of the Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine said the bushfires forced it to shut down on Tuesday afternoon.
A spokesperson said the Shoemaker-Levy mine, on the north side of the South Coast Highway, stopped operating and it took steps to protect mining equipment from about 4pm.
They said work had since resumed but it remained on high alert.
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.
