Bushfire warning for Kalgan downgraded from emergency as more than 50 firefighters battle out-of-control blaze

Favourable weather is helping firefighters battle a bushfire tearing through an area northeast of Albany, prompting a warning downgrade from emergency to a watch and act.

Earlier today hundreds of people were told to evacuate as a massive blaze threatened lives and homes in Kalgan, north-east of Albany.

Water bombers and more than 50 firefighters were sent to battle the out-of-control bushfire that was escalated to an emergency warning on Wednesday afternoon.

The fire was downgraded to watch and act level at 6.32pm on Wednesday night with favourable weather conditions helping those on the ground.

The lightning-sparked bushfire was reported at 12:20pm and about 350 hectares have been burnt so far.

The fire is moving slowly in a northerly direction but is not “contained nor controlled”.

The watch and act warning applies to an area bounded by Bakers Junction Nature Reserve to the north, Mead Road to the east, the King River to the south, and Chester Pass Road to the west in the western part of Kalgan.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - which is managing the fire - said four water bombers were providing aerial support.

The water bombers were stood down on Wednesday night and will return at first light if required.

Also in attendance are 50 Parks and Wildlife Service, Career Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Bush Fire Service, and Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services firefighters.

It started near the intersection of South Coast Highway and Mead Road.

The evacuation centre that was opened at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre earlier today has now been closed.

Roads in the area that have been closed include South Coast Highway, Chester Pass Road, Mead Road, Bon Accord Road and Hunton Road.

On Tuesday, the national summer bushfire outlook showed strong November rainfall had brought soil moisture to above-average levels in the Great Southern and Wheatbelt, with Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm saying the latter region would probably not have an elevated bushfire risk until January.

It warned of above-normal fire potential for the Darling Scarp just east of Perth and western parts of the South West jarrah forest region down to Manjimup, where lower-than-usual rainfall has left soil moisture below average.

Parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Murchison also face a higher-than-usual bushfire risk, with thick fuel loads including fully cured grasses set to combine with warmer and drier than usual weather in a tinderbox scenario.