Residents in Central Victoria have been warned to monitor conditions as an out of control bushfire burns near the Goulburn Valley Highway in Trawool.
The Country Fire Authority warned the bushfire was slowly travelling east towards Kerrisdale, but the situation could change at any minute, with gusty winds expected to hit the region on Tuesday evening.
“You must monitor conditions and be ready to act,” a CFA spokesman said.
“The threat is reduced, but the situation can change at any time.”
Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan told 9 News the bushfire took off quickly and had burnt through about 100 hectares as it continued to move.
“We are expecting, in the next couple of hours, for that frontal system to come through and a real gusty change will be affecting that fire ground, which will further push it to the east,” he said.
“There is property already in the path of this fire and there will be further private property after the change, when the fire will change direction.”
Mr Heffernan expected more emergency warnings as a frontal system moved across Victoria with conditions peaking between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesday.
“That’s when we’ll see the bulk of the change come through, affecting that fire ground at Trawool,” he said.
“They should see wind gusts potentially up to 55 to even 60 km/hr.
“That will be a concern as that frontal system moves through.”
A Watch and Act warning is already in place for residents in Kerrisdale, Reedy Creek, Strath Creek and Tallarook.
“Monitor changes to the situation,” the warning read.
“Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
“Enact your fire survival plan.
“Leave if the situation changes or you feel unsafe.”
Several roads in the area have been closed as firefighters battle the blaze.
