An emergency warning was issued early on Monday for Bindoon, Breera, Gingin, Lennard Brook, Mooliabeenee and Moondah, 60km north of the city.
"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive," WA's Department of Fire and Emergency Services said.
"There is a threat to lives and homes."
Easing conditions overnight helped firefighters try and control the blaze. (HANDOUT/DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WA)
Days of extreme temperatures cracking 42C have turned the landscape into a tinderbox.
DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm said the fires are believed to have been sparked by lightning strikes over the weekend.
Favourable weather conditions overnight enabled fire crews to make significant progress but conditions are predicted to worsen throughout the day.
"As the day heats up, we're still expecting up to 39C up near Gingin, where that fire is today," he told ABC Radio on Monday morning.
"So there is still plenty to do and the community up in and around that area need to remain vigilant."
Gingin Shire president Wayne Fewster said the town - which remained outside the emergency zone - was comfortable but alert.
11:15 AM -Bushfire EMERGENCY WARNING for parts of BINDOON, BREERA, GINGIN, LENNARD BROOK, MOOLIABEENEE and MOONDAH in the SHIRES OF GINGIN and CHITTERING: — DFES (@dfes_wa) https://t.co/ZSEIQDbkiJJanuary 15, 2024
Investigation teams were yet to confirm the extent of the damage, but Cr Fewster understood at least one property had been destroyed but there were likely to be more.
"There's not just homes but outbuildings, sheds - there's been quite a bit of damage in certain places," he told ABC Radio.
Homes in Wowra Drive and Lennards Road were under threat by fire, the DFES warned.
As the battle to control the blaze enters its third day, crews were stretched and fatigued, Cr Fewster said.
Firefighters continued to struggle to contain and control the fire, which is moving in multiple directions and has burnt about 2900 hectares.
About 280 firefighters and support crew are battling the blaze, as well as aerial support brought in on Monday.
DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm blamed the fires on lightning strikes. (Justin Benson-Cooper/AAP PHOTOS)
Residents were told to leave immediately if the way was clear, with an evacuation centre opened at the Bendigo Centre Recreation Grounds on Weld Street in Gingin.
A community meeting will be held at 2pm Perth time on Monday at the Granville Civic Centre on Weld Street in Gingin and will be broadcast on the Shire of Gingin Facebook page.
To the southwest of the region, a fire was burning at watch and act level near Bambun, Muchea, Pinjar, Yanchep and Yeal, with 2500 hectares burnt.
The Bureau of Meteorology expected severe heatwave conditions to persist into the coming week across much of the state, including Perth and the rest of the southwest.
18°C