Hundreds of firefighters are battling an emergency blaze on the Western Australian wheatbelt, where lives and homes have been under threat.

Several towns were issued with bushfire warnings in hot and dangerous conditions late Wednesday across parts of Toodyay, Coondle and Julimar, about 100 kilometres north-east of Perth.

Residents of a stunning tourist town on the Turquoise Coast were also told to flee to the ocean as an out-of-control fire barrelled towards them.

That unpredictable fire was burning near Lancelin, 126 kilometres north of Perth, but was later downgraded to a watch and act.

“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. If the way is clear, leave now toward the Lancelin Jetty,” WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services said.

“Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute could put your life in danger.”

The township of Lancelin is billed as one of the state’s “best-kept holiday secrets”, with crisp white dunes, clean beaches and Australia’s “premier sandboarding destination”.

The Shire of Toodyay borders the north-eastern edge of the Perth metropolitan area and has a population of about 4600 people.

The township of Lancelin on WA’s Turquoise Coast. Photo: Facebook/Lancelin

DFES said more than 250 firefighters were battling the raging bushfires in Lancelin and Toodyay.

“Crews are facing challenging conditions on both firegrounds, with strong winds, hot temps and a very dry landscape as they fight to protect lives and property,” a DFES post to Facebook said late on Wednesday.

“As conditions are expected to deteriorate overnight and tomorrow, it’s crucial you are prepared and have an up-to-date bushfire plan no matter where you are in WA.”

Locals were told to close all windows and doors, turn off evaporative air conditioners and try to keep water running as they left.

Those who couldn’t leave were told to shelter in their homes in the room with two exits and water (such as a kitchen or laundry), and that was furthest from the fire front.

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The Bureau of Meteorology warned fresh easterly winds and dry conditions would lead to elevated fire dangers.

“There is also the risk of high-based thunderstorms with dry lightning, exacerbating the fire dangers,” the alert said.

There are total fire bans for the Perth metropolitan, Goldfields Midlands, and south-west districts on Thursday.

Five firefighters battling the blaze were injured and one taken to hospital after their fire truck rolled on Wednesday.

-with AAP