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Aaron Bunch

Firefighters under the pump as bushfires threaten homes

Two emergency warnings were downgraded as firefighters battled uncontained bushfires. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Gusty winds are challenging firefighters battling two bushfires that have threatened residents and homes in a capital city.

Emergency warnings were issued on Thursday for blazes in Perth's south and northeast, which were downgraded to watch and act in the evening after authorities earlier urged residents in multiple suburbs to leave if they could do so.

Conditions were "really difficult", WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services Assistant Commissioner Danny Monsconi said.

"We've got wind speeds of around 20km/h, but they're gusting up to 50 kilometres," he told ABC Radio on Thursday afternoon.

"So pretty challenging."

There had been no confirmed reports of damaged or destroyed properties, Mr Monsconi said.

Firefighting truck
Dangerous fires are burning in Perth's northeast and south with conditions described as challenging. (Aaron Bunch/AAP PHOTOS)

The main blaze was burning in the suburbs of Kenwick, Wattle Grove, Maddington and Beckenham.

TV footage showed several homes in a semi-rural area near the blaze, which is partly burning in a wetlands nature reserve.

Thick plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, and trees and bush were burning across a broad fire front.

An evacuation centre was opened at Maddington Community Centre.

A second uncontained fire is burning in Bullsbrook, Upper Swan and Walyunga National Park.

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