WA's Emergency Services Minister is making no apologies as authorities take an ultra-cautious approach by delaying the reopening of the state's only sealed road into South Australia.

Key points: The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) says the Eyre Highway should be reopened within 48 hours

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) says the Eyre Highway should be reopened within 48 hours Hundreds of holiday-makers have been stranded since bushfires closed the highway on December 30

Hundreds of holiday-makers have been stranded since bushfires closed the highway on December 30 More than 200 emergency personnel are fighting nine different fire fronts around Norseman

The 1,660-kilometre Eyre Highway has been closed for the past nine days by fires burning near the Goldfields town of Norseman, destroying more than 500,000 hectares.

A watch and act warning has been downgraded between Fraser Range and Balladonia, with fires still burning on both sides of the highway.

In an interview with the ABC, Fran Logan said the road would remain closed if there was any risk to motorists.

Mr Logan pointed to the Boorabbin bushfire disaster in 2007, when three truck drivers died after driving into a firestorm along the Great Eastern Highway.

"Remember one thing, it wasn't the emergency services and Main Roads which closed this road, the fire closed the road," he said.

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"What's clear in our minds, both the Government and the emergency services personnel themselves, is Boorabbin … we never want to have that happen again.

"I know this has been an inconvenience for people, but the primary thing is their safety.

"If we can ensure the highway is opened as quickly as possible, bearing in mind their safety, that's what our target is."

Fran Logan says he'll discuss ways to ensure the highway is not as badly affected in future. ( ABC News: Jarrod Lucas )

Relief for pastoralists fighting drought

Five trucks carrying hay and food departed Norseman on Tuesday morning to resupply drought-affected pastoralists and roadhouses on the Nullarbor impacted by bushfires.

The convoy was heading as far as Cocklebiddy, 450 kilometres east of Norseman, making half a dozen stops in what represented the first resupply in more than two weeks.

Tim Foley from Parks and Wildlife said the risk to the truck drivers transporting the goods was low.

"With the conditions that we have this morning and this window of opportunity with these cooler conditions, it is ideal to make the transit through on the Eyre Highway with this convoy of supplies," he said.

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More than 350 truck drivers and holidaymakers who had been stranded at roadhouses by the fires were evacuated on Monday.

Waiting game for interstate travellers

Andrew Cockerall and his wife Linda from Bendigo in Victoria have been stranded in Norseman for nine days.

He said the long wait to make the 2,600km, four-day road trip home had been frustrating.

"We want to get home but we have to wait until we know it's safe … we don't want to be travelling if we're in any danger," he said.

"We're ready to roll … 10 minutes' warning and I could be on the road.

"Home is feeling a long way away right now."

This happy family arrived in Norseman after being stranded on the Nullarbor. ( ABC News: Jarrod Lucas )

Stephen Guy and his wife Robyn, who have been touring WA in a caravan, have been in Norseman for eight days.

"There are three vans in the caravan park and all three of us are heading east, so we're in the same boat," he said.

"We're just waiting for the go-ahead and that's just whenever things are safe.

"We did want to see more of Western Australia, but I think we'll head for home and leave it for a different time.

"Every day is getting a bit closer to clearing up and we'll just have to wait and see."

The Guys are also from Bendigo and say they have been distressed by the bushfires which have devastated their home state.

"It's quite devastating because we are from Victoria; what we see on the news is just horrific, it's hard to believe," Mr Guy said.

"We've got massive fires here, but thankfully it's not life-threatening.

"Back there it looks like a war zone — it's just devastating to watch on television."

SES volunteers fill out a permit for a motorist to travel on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway. ( ABC News: Jarrod Lucas )

Work to avoid future closures

Meanwhile, Mr Logan said he would discuss bushfire mitigation strategies with Fire Commissioner Darren Klemm to ensure the Eyre Highway was not as badly affected in future.

"I'll be having that conversation with the Commissioner and our state emergency management group, the issue of major infrastructure, such as the Eyre Highway which is the transcontinental link," he said.

"Remember there is only three links between Perth and the West through to the eastern seaboard along with the Trans-Australian Railway, and they're vital links.

"We couldn't even estimate [the cost to the economy] … the good thing about it is the trucks which were stuck are refrigerated and the goods they're carrying haven't been spoiled."