Bushfire leads to power outage

Power supplies have been interrupted to about 90 homes between Turner River and the outskirts of South Hedland due to a bush fire.

The fire, which started on Sunday after a suspected lightning strike, closed a portion of the Great Northern Highway today for more than three hours.

Horizon Power crews said the power outage was due to damage to infrastructure caused by the flames.

At 8.30am winds fanned the blaze towards the Great Northern Highway, approximately 5kms from the Turner River Estate.

Town of Port Hedland resources were mobilized, including the ranger services team, grader, water tanker and extra volunteer resources from the south and port fire services.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an alert at 11.25am for people travelling between the Turner River Bridge and the Stockyards in the Town of Port Hedland.

The alert said the bushfire was moving slowly in a north-easterly direction and there was no threat to lives or homes, but warned of a lot of smoke in the area.

Motorist Melva Elvey was delayed on the highway when attempting to travel from Port Hedland to Karratha.

She said although the road reopened about 1pm, she could feel the heat from the blaze as "big flames" came close to her vehicle.

"It was the scariest thing I've ever seen," she said.

Horizon Power thanked customers for their patience as it worked to restore power supplies, adding crews were working to repair the damaged equipment as quickly as possible.

The Town of Port Hedland confirmed the fire was still burning and was being monitored by rangers and volunteers.