European backpackers among 4 killed by bushfires in Australia

Bushfires in Western Australia were still burning out of control on Thursday as the identities of the four people killed in the blaze had been revealed.

Local farmer Kym Curnow was caught in the fire when the wind changed as he was trying to warn others of the impeding danger in the area.

The bodies of three backpackers were also found in a car nearby with reports saying they were working in the region as farmhands.

It is believed the three working tourists were from Germany, Britain and Norway.

Premier of Western Australia (WA) Colin Barnett expressed his condolences to the family and friends of those killed.

"It was WA's worst fire fatalities in decades," he said.

WA Emergency Services Minister Joe Francis flew to Esperance on Wednesday with the premier to visit affected communities.

"It was always going to be a very challenging bushfire season but no one wants to start anything like this with a loss of life in particular, loss of four lives, which are relatively young and no doubt wonderful human beings," he said.

The threat level was downgraded overnight after weather conditions eased but the fire, which had already burnt more than 120,000 hectares, was still uncontrolled. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said they were working hard to "build and strengthen containment lines." Enditem