Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services has dubbed this year's northern bushfire season "one of the toughest on record" with blazes burning an estimated 2.7 million hectares in the state's far north.

That is a combined area equal to twice the size of Sydney.

Derby resident Katlyn Yeeda was visiting family in the Bidyadanga community, 2,000 kilometres north of Perth, last month when a large blaze came close to the community.

"It was a very frightening experience to be close to something that bad," she said.

" It was hazy for days, it was really hard to breathe with all the smoke in the air. "

That fire has now burnt through more than 1.3 million hectares of land and is one of 163 bushfires to have hit the Kimberley region since June 1.

Australia's first Nationa

See Full Page