Unpredictable blaze stalls Hedland traffic

A rapidly moving bushfire in Mundabullangana caused traffic jams for locals along the Great Northern Highway to Port Hedland last night with a watch an act alert issued for people in the area.

Great Northern Highway between the North West Coastal Highway intersection and Indee Road is now closed.

The fire has broken containment lines and there is a possible threat to lives and homes as the fire conditions change rapidly.

The blaze started near Boodarie on Wednesday morning.

Hedland resident Chantelle Smith said she was on her way home from Perth last night before getting stuck at the road closure.

“I was 30km from Port Hedland at around 5pm last night and traffic did not start moving again until 3.45am,” she said.

“I think everyone just wanted answers but no one got angry or upset, everyone bound together.”

Locals are urged to avoid the area.