Western Australia has been hit by marine heatwaves since August, and now coral is bleaching in large areas along the coast from World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef to Ashmore Reef.

An emergency warning has been issued for people in Windy Harbour, after a fire ignited by lightning strikes began threatening the small fishing and tourist town.

Aerial support had to be pulled during Sunday's bushfire in Dunsborough after rogue drones were spotted in the area.

Advocates are calling this a “red alert” moment for the usually resilient reef, as a marine heatwave already linked to a fish ...