Eighty volunteer Bush Fire Service and Department of Environment and Conservation fire fighters from 11 brigades battled to prevent a bush fire which started near Metricup from getting to wineries and other properties in the Wilyabrup area.

A Type 1 helitac and two-fixed wing water bombers helped ground crews to contain the fire and save houses, fences and pastures. The fire is believed to have started between Puzey Rd and Yelverton Rd when a tree was blown over on to a power line.

After it was reported at 6.34am a Bushfire Watch and Act alert was issued for people in Abbeys Farm Road, Puzey Road, Blythe Road, Yelverton Road, North of Caves Road and Metricup Road. Police closed a number of local roads, including a section of Yelverton Road.

The Watch and Act alert was downgraded late on Sunday and DEC issued smoke warnings for people travelling in the area.

About noon the helitac and fixed-wing wing water bombers, along with all available fire crews, were switched to a second fire which started at Nillup, east of Karridale, in Augusta-Margaret River Shire.

Reported at 11.52am between Brockman Highway and Warner Glen, the fire quickly threatened two farming properties and a Bushfire Emergency Warning was issued. However, a concerted attack by 80 volunteer Bush Fire Service and Department of Environment and Conservation firefighters from 14 brigades, backed up by the aerial support, saved two houses, fences, pastures, and blue gum plantations in the vicinity of Mann Road.

The fire burned about 24ha but the only property loss was a power pole which cut power to the area for some time on Sunday.

The emergency warning was downgraded by mid-afternoon and the all clear issued on Monday afternoon, however Alexandra Bridge Volunteer Fire Service members continued to patrol the fire ground.