At least one home has been destroyed by fires raging to the north of Perth with more lives and properties under threat.

An emergency warning was issued early on Monday for Bindoon, Breera, Gingin, Lennard Brook, Mooliabeenee and Moondah, 60 kilometres 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.”

Days of extreme temperatures cracking 42 degrees have turned the landscape into a tinderbox.

DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm said the fires were believed to have been sparked by lightning strikes at 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 39 degrees up near Gingin, where that fire is today,” he told ABC Radio on Monday morning.

“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.

Investigation teams were yet to confirm the extent of the damage. 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 entered its third day, crews were stretched and fatigued, 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.

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 was to be held at 2pm Perth time on Monday at the Granville Civic Centre on Weld Street in Gingin. It will also be broadcast on the Shire of Gingin Facebook page.

To the south-west 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 south-west.

-AAP