Cooler winds are easing the fire danger in the Esperance area after a bushfire took hold in 41-degree heat yesterday. There is also the likelihood of a few showers later today, which may be enough to further aid fire fighters. The fire is just west of the town and is now travelling in a northeast direction thanks to cool southwesterly winds. These cooler winds became light overnight, allowing fire fighters to get the fire under control after yesterday's hot, dry north-northwesterlies sent flames scurrying towards town. The initial wind change yesterday afternoon was a dramatic one. It only took one hour for the temperature to drop by 17 degrees and for the humidity to rise from 10 percent to 67 percent. In this short time the fire danger rating effectively dropped from severe to low. Looking ahead, southwesterlies should pick up to 15-to-25km/h during today and the temperature will rise to about 25 degrees, making the fire become a bit more volatile. However, showers are likely to develop this afternoon and evening, amounting to a couple of millimetres by tomorrow morning. This should be enough rain to keep the fire under control or even help extinguish it. For the rest of the week, winds should stay light-to-moderate and temperatures below about 25 degrees. It is unlikely to heat up significantly until at least next week with a chance of reaching the mid 30s but not much more than that.