An accidentally-sparked bushfire that was threatening lives and homes in WA's Great Southern region has been contained and controlled.
The blaze started near Buegge Road and Springdale Road in Hopetoun, and triggered an emergency warning on Tuesday morning, but the alert was downgraded to a watch and act just before 1pm.
It had been burning towards a small housing estate east of the town but is now contained within swampland and paddocks, with 60 firefighters on the scene.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services says 200 hectares have been burnt.
Students remain at Hopetoun Primary School but are ready to evacuate if necessary, while parents are being allowed to collect their child if they wish.
The Bureau of Meteorology had warned of catastrophic fire conditions for the Central Wheat Belt, and parts of the Gascoyne, Central West, Great Southern and South Coastal districts.
