Firefighters are battling to save family homes as a bushfire bears down on two East Kimberley communities.
On Saturday morning people living in Bell Springs and Hollow Springs were told to "fight or flee".
Bell Springs resident Dennis Peart said "we've got firefighting units here and they're trying to bring the fire under control but the wind keeps changing every few minutes. So far though no properties have been damaged."
Volunteer firefighters from Kununurra, Ivanhoe, Packsaddle and Crossing Falls Bush Fire Service are on the scene.
Shire of Wyndham and East Kimberley deputy president Raymond Dessert said: "I'm on my property about 20kms from the fire and I can see the smoke in the sky.
"I heard about it on the local radio this morning when they issued the emergency broadcasts."
On Saturday morning The Department for Fire and Emergency Services issued a "Watch and Act" alert for the communities south east of Kununurra.
The warning says "there is a possible risk to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing - you need to leave or get ready to actively defend".
DFES says the cause of the fire is suspicious. It started in bushland near Lake Argyle Road between Victoria Highway and Spillway Creek.
People who live in the area but who are not at home have been told to stay away.
Update: just after midday on Saturday the DFES downgraded the bushfire warning saying that while the threat to lives and homes had diminished the fire is still out of control and unpredictable.
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