A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for central districts of Western Australia while a fire to the north has broken containment lines, prompting an emergency alert.
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The weather bureau said on Sunday afternoon that severe thunderstorms have developed in the Gascoyne and Central West districts, with damaging wind gusts likely.
"Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours," the BOM warned.
"Large hailstones are also possible. Locations which may be affected include Mount Magnet and Yalgoo."
Emergency WA said if people are caught outside in the storm, they should find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams.
People are also urged to stay away from windows in the event of lightning or large hail, and to keep pets inside.
Damaging winds are also expected as the storms progress further south during the late afternoon and early evening.
A similar severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the southwest corner of the Northern Territory, with the same storm system due to impact the Lasseter district with heavy rain.
Firefighters continue to battle several blazes across WA, with a fire at Mount Sheila, south of Karratha, updated to emergency alert level on Sunday.
"If you are in the Silvergrass mine area leave in a south easterly direction to Nammuldi Operations," fire authorities said.
"The alert level for this fire has been upgraded as the fire is approaching the mine."
Residents are urged to leave if they can, or shelter in place if not.
Several other fires in WA are burning at "watch and act" levels, including another fire near Mount Sheila and a separate blaze to the southeast at Dundas.
Australian Associated Press
