Firefighters have contained a bushfire that had been threatening homes in Albury in south-west New South Wales.

The blaze started about 4.30pm (AEDT) and burned through five hectares of bushland near Yambla Avenue and Forest Hill Avenue.

The Rural Fire Service issued an emergency alert to residents, urging them to take shelter in solid structures.

Two aircraft, 19 trucks and 67 firefighters have since brought the fire under control.

Rural Fire Service spokeswoman Laura Ryan said homes were no longer under threat and crews would focus on extinguishing the blaze over the next few hours.

"Firefighters will continue to ensure the fire is fully out and that no homes are under threat in the future," she said.

"We've got a number of firefighters working on the ground, supported by aircraft, doing some excellent water-bombing work and they do have that fire now contained."