School reopens after Northcliffe bushfire

Life in the town of Northcliffe is slowly returning to normal, with the local school reopening.

The blaze in Western Australia's south was sparked by lightning 11 days ago, and destroyed two houses and five sheds before the alert level was downgraded at the weekend to a watch and act.

Residents returned to their properties as soon as it was permitted after roads were deemed safe.

But many roadblocks remain in place. The South Western Highway from Wheatley Coast Road to Mandalay Beach Road is likely to be closed for at least three weeks.

The electricity network has been damaged, leaving some Northcliffe residents without power.

Eric Pratt, a beef farmer in Shannon National Park where the fire started, told AAP that dozens of power poles had burnt down.

It could be weeks before his landline phone connection is restored.

"Hardly any mobiles work out here," Mr Pratt said.

"We really need some mobile towers out here. I can't walk more than six feet and it cuts out."

Fortunately for Mr Pratt, his animals survived but he has heard that a few of his neighbours' livestock perished in the fire.

He is one of several farmers who will have to rebuild paddock fences, and with half his property scorched, he will also have to buy hay to feed his cows, sheep and horses.

The bushfire is not fully controlled, but is stationary thank to favourable weather.

It has burnt about 91,000ha.

At Lower Hotham, also in WA's south, another lightning-sparked bushfire has been contained and controlled.

One house, two sheds and the historic Long Gully Bridge crossing the Bibbulmun Track were destroyed in the blaze.

More than 52,000ha have been burnt.

The alert level for the fire has been downgraded to an advice.