A bushfire burning out of control near Perth may have destroyed at least 30 homes as firefighters continue to battle the flames and aerial support is sent to protect crews and properties.

An emergency warning was issued this afternoon for parts of the City of Swan and the Mundaring, Chittering and Northam shires.

City of Swan Mayor Kevin Bailey told the ABC the fire had caused significant property losses.

“We’re just waiting for confirmation of the numbers but we’re looking at somewhere in the vicinity of 30-plus homes possibly lost,” he said.

“The fire was very aggressive during the night, it was very windy in Perth yesterday afternoon and through last night.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan said today the state was grappling with both bushfires and the COVID-19 emergency as a lockdown to prevent community transmission of the virus continues.

Firefighters were facing extremely volatile weather conditions, homes had been lost and some 2750 properties were without power, he told a media briefing.

“This is an extremely concerning and serious situation,” Mr McGowan said.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has spoken with insurers who by this afternoon had received a small number claims, and ICA is working with the WA Government to assist them and impacted communities, a spokeswoman said.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said a second evacuation centre was established today at Midvale, and protocols were also in place to minimise COVID-19 risk.

The Wooroloo fire, reported just after midday in Perth yesterday, has burnt around 7000 hectares and has a perimeter of about 75km. About 250-300 firefighters are battling the blaze, with more hot weather forecast this week. The cause of the fire is unknown.