Emergency warnings issued as bushfires continue in Victoria

The fire is travelling from Grampians National Park in a northerly direction towards Halls Gap.

Authorities have asked residents in multiple areas to leave immediately, including those in Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek, Grampians Junction and Halls Gap.

“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” the warning said.

“If you have already left, it is not safe to return.”

Two evacuation centres have been opened in the region, at Alexandra Oval Community Centre and Grampians Community Health, known as “The Shacc”.

Authorities also issued a watch and act for residents in Lake Fyans and Pomonal to prepare to leave.

Residents in Bornes Hill, Grampians, Jimmy Creek, Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley were also told to prepare to leave.

A bushfire at Bullengarook, which is not yet under control and travelling in a north-easterly direction, had sparked emergency warnings earlier for residents but this has been downgraded to Watch and Act warnings.

Residents have also been asked to “monitor conditions as they are changing” and be ready to act if the situation changes.

Other communities have been told to monitor conditions as well with several blazes burning across the state.

Residents of Mafeking and Watgania have been told it is not safe to return.