An emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire burning out of control in western Victoria, with residents urged to leave immediately.
The fire in Grampians National Park near Mirranatwa at Yarram Gap Road is travelling in an easterly direction towards Watgania and Mafeking.
VicEmergency said residents in those two suburbs could be impacted within the next hour.
Visit the VicEmergency website for the latest emergency advice and warnings
“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” VicEmergency said in its warning.
“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”
Residents are urged to use Yarram Gap Road to leave and head towards Willaura. Anyone unable to leave should shelter indoors before the fire arrives.
Motorists travelling nearby are told not to enter the area.
The fire has burned through more than 7600 hectares since it started on Wednesday.
Soaring temperatures across the state have made conditions worse.
Residents in Bornes Hill, Mirranatwa, the Grampians, Jimmy Creek, and Victoria Valley were earlier told to prepare to leave and a “watch and act” warning remains in place.
VicEmergency recommended that impacted residents monitor the situation, including factors such as wind speed, wind direction, and poor visibility.
Residents wanting to leave have been advised to use Victoria Valley Road and head towards Dunkeld. Several roads are closed including:
- Grampians Road, is closed from Silverband Road to the southern Victoria Valley Road intersection.
- Victoria Valley Road is closed at the Victoria Point Intersection.
- Yarram Gap Road is closed from Grampians Road to Moyston-Dunkeld Road.
If you’re travelling near the area, drivers are advised to make a safe U-turn and head to safety.
A relief centre has been set up at 14 Sterling Place in Dunkeld, although it is currently unstaffed.
The southern part of the Grampians National Park has since been closed to members of the public.
Authorities have also issued a watch and act message for a bushfire in The Gurdies in southern Gippsland, east of Melbourne.
“The bushfire is travelling in a northerly direction from the Sand Supplies in The Gurdies towards Woodland Close off St Helier Road,” the warning said.
“Firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now, but the situation can change at any time.”
“The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.”
The fire has been burning since 3.28pm yesterday.
Temperatures in Melbourne are expected to reach 34 degrees today, but it will be much hotter in the Mallee, with daytime maximums around 40 degrees.
Extreme fire danger is forecast for the Mallee and Wimmera due to the combination of very hot, dry conditions and moderate to fresh north-to-northwesterly winds.
A total fire ban is in place for these fire districts.
The South West, where the Grampians fire is burning, has been warned of high fire danger.
South-western Victoria, including the Wimmera region, Grampians National Park, and Mallee country, are particularly at risk.
“The current level of landscape dryness in these areas is strong enough that without significant rainfall over the spring period, the flammability of fuels in forests and woodlands will remain high,” the report said.
The report warned that the bushfire season is highly likely to begin early in those areas.
