A bushfire is threatening lives and homes in Southampton near Donnybrook in Western Australia's South West.
More than 90 firefighters are battling the out-of-control blaze, which is burning in a pine plantation in the Donnybrook-Balingup shire in an area bounded by state forests.
An emergency warning was issued for people in an area bounded by Cundinup-Kirup Road and Ferndale Road, Wetherly Road, Torreya Road and Maidment Road in the central part of Southampton.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) said homes in the Wrights Bridge and Ewarts Road areas were under threat by fire.
Clare Forward from the DBCA said wind was posing a challenge to firefighters.
"It's a very difficult area to try and create containment lines with wind channelling up the Blackwood Valley, so it's been throwing up some challenges," she said.
The DBCA said a recent wind change caused the fire alert to be upgraded to emergency level.
The blaze is moving slowly in a north-westerly direction.
It has burnt through 2,200 hectares since it was first reported at 2:42pm yesterday.
The fire started near Radiata Road in Southampton but the cause is not yet known.
A community meeting has been scheduled for 12:00pm today at the Nannup Community Centre.
A number of roads are closed in the area, and authorities are urging motorists to reduce speed, and drive carefully due to smoke.
A bushfire watch and act notice has also been issued for people in an area bounded by Cundinup South Road, Gardiner Road, Maranup Ford Road and Barker Road in the northern part of Southampton.
That blaze started near Radiata Road.
