The Barkly Highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal was closed to all traffic by police at 6.15pm on Tuesday after an emergency situation in the area was declared.

The highway was re-opened just a few hours later.

About 20 firefighters were called out to the blaze, which began about 12 kilometres south-east of Camooweal.

Fire crews used the sole fire water tanker in Camooweal to assist control the flames.

They were helped by surrounding station workers.

At its peak, the fire spread across the 30 kilometre area of land.

Regional manager of Rural Operations Steve Barber said the dry grassland and other fuel on the ground fuelled the fire and caused it spread quickly over such a large area.

However, by yesterday fire crews had contained the fire to three properties and station workers were using graders to construct containment lines while firefighters monitored the blaze’s progress.

However, Mr Barber said it could be another day before the fire could be fully contained.

“It is quite a large fire,” he said.

Road blocks were initially established by police along the Barkly Highway due to thick smoke in the area.

However, the area was deemed safe to re-enter after 11pm and police re-opened the highway.

After the fire came within 20 kilometres of the town late on Tuesday night, there were concerns the dry grassland and wind direction could allow the fire to spread to the town itself.

However fire crews and station hands worked to control the flames and according to Mr Barber, the weather conditions necessary to spread the fire to the town did not eventuate.

Mr Barber said there had been no properties or infrastructure damaged by the fire.

No one was evacuated from the area.

Police were treating the fire as non-suspicious.