Bushfires threaten lives, homes in Perth's southern suburbs and Geraldton

Crews in Western Australia are fighting three dangerous fires, two in the greater Perth area and one in Geraldton.

Blazes are burning to the south and south-east of Perth's greater metropolitan area, with one forcing the evacuation of a retirement village and the other moving through a rubbish tip causing hazardous fumes.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has issued an emergency warning for a fire in Perth's southern suburbs including parts of The Spectacles, Orelia, Medina, Naval Base, Postans, Kwinana Beach and Hope Valley.

The warning affects people in an area bounded by McLaughlan Road, Thomas Road, the coast, Hogg Road and Hope Valley Road.

The fire started near the intersection of Thomas Road and Gilmore Avenue in Orelia. DFES said the fire front was burning fast in a west-north-westerly direction.

People in the area bounded by Beard Road to the north, Rockingham Road to the west, Thomas Road to the south and the coast have been told leaving now would be deadly, due to hazardous fumes from the fire burning through part of the Kwinana town rubbish tip.

DFES district officer Adrian Hamill told the ABC that authorities were hoping to contain the fire before it reached the Perth Motorplex.

"It's moving through some bushland mostly but it's headed towards some heavy infrastructure," he said yesterday.

Another emergency warning for Gosnells, in Perth's south-east, was downgraded to watch and act just before 10:00pm AWST as the fire was stationary.

People in an area bounded by Albany Highway, Tonkin Highway and Ferres Drive were advised there was still a possible threat to lives and homes with conditions changing.

The fire started in Martin, near the intersection of Connell Avenue and Milleara Road. Part of the Tonkin Highway between Albany Highway and Mills Road East was closed.

An evacuation centre has been opened at The Agonis, at 2232 Albany Highway in Gosnells.

Emergency warning for Geraldton fire

An emergency warning was also issued late last night for the northern part of Karloo in Geraldton, 400 kilometres north of Perth, before also being downgraded to watch and act overnight.

The watch and act affects people in the vicinity of Peter Way and Simon Drive in northern parts of Karloo.

DFES said the alert level had been downgraded as the fire had been contained.

But it said there was still a possible threat to lives and homes.

DFES earlier advised homes in Peter Way and Simon Drive were under threat.

The Geraldton fire started near the intersection of Abraham Street and Peter Way and prompted concern as it moved fast in a westerly direction. Abraham Street remains closed, with motorists asked to avoid the area due to smoke.

Riverside Gardens Estate retirement village evacuated

DFES district officer Will Blackshaw last night confirmed residents at the Riverside Gardens retirement village in Gosnells had been evacuated.

"We've successfully evacuated 60 personnel there, and they're being taken to a safe place for the moment while we then do what we can to protect the homes in place," he said.

He also said crews would be working through the night to contain the fires.

Mr Blackshaw urged people to keep up to date with the latest information throughout the night with EmergencyWA.

A watch and act is in place for parts of Parmelia, The Spectacles, Calista, Orelia, Leda, Medina, Kwinana Town Centre, Postans, Kwinana Beach and East Rockingham.

Conditions are changing and there is a possible threat to lives and homes.

The DFES said the fire was moving fast in a north-north-westerly direction and was out of control and unpredictable.

It closed a number of roads in the area, including parts of Thomas Road, Abercrombie Road and Rockingham Road.

Aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews.

DFES said about 230 hectares had been burnt so far in the Kwinana fire and that the case of the blaze was unknown.

Wundowie and Red Gully fires downgraded

Meanwhile, a fire that threatened the small country town of Wundowie on Saturday has been contained and remains under control at advice level.

The DFES said the blaze started near the intersection of Great Eastern Highway and Inkpen Road and was reported early on Saturday afternoon.

It left thousands of homes in the area without power as a result of damaged infrastructure.

Great Eastern Highway reopened on Sunday after a section was closed.

A number of other roads in the area have also reopened.

DFES said the fire burnt through 65 hectares of land and listed the cause as accidental.

Another fire that started on Saturday morning in Red Gully has also been downgraded to advice.

DFES said while there was still a lot of smoke in the area, the bushfire was now stationary, contained and under control.

"Although there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes," a warning said.

It has burnt through 1,530 hectares since it started near the intersection of Mogumber Road West and the Brand Highway.