SYDNEY - A Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) mine in Western Australia's Pilbara region has been evacuated due to a bushfire burning close to the mine site, local media reported on Friday.

Fortescue's Gloudbreak iron ore mine is about 170 km north of Newman.

Local media reported that FMG staff at Gloudbreak were evacuated to the Christmas Creek mine, 50 km east of Cloudbreak.

FMG said in a statement that staff would be returned to the accommodation village when it was safe to do so.

The Shire of East Pilbara emergency crews are fighting the bushfire caused by lightning earlier in the week.