ADF chips in to help WA town with fires

A tent city has been erected by the military in the West Australian town of Manjimup to house firefighters battling a massive blaze further south.

An emergency alert for the town of Northcliffe has been downgraded to a watch and act after favourable weather and a mighty effort by firefighters halted its advance.

While that allowed evacuees to return to the town, 345km south of Perth, the firefighting effort continues with the Australian Defence Force providing much-needed support.

13th Brigade Detachment Commander Lieutenant Colonel Murray Drover said 61 ADF personnel built a 200-bed tent camp on the grounds of Manjimup Sports Centre in just four hours.

Lt Col Drover said only a handful of military personnel remained on site, but numbers could surge at short notice if another tent camp needed to be erected.

Despite the non-airconditioned accommodation, everyone was taking warmer summer weather in their stride, he said.

"They just crack on," he told AAP.

"They're trained and led to be used to harsh conditions.

"It's great to use their skills in a humanitarian role."