Residents in parts of Victoria have been told to evacuate immediately as a bushfire continues to rage out of control in the Grampians National Park.
About 600 firefighters are battling the blaze that has burnt through almost 75,000 hectares in the park, located about three hours south-west of Melbourne.
Two emergency warnings remain in place, with many being downgraded to a watch and act level as catastrophic fire conditions ease.
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Fire danger remains
Multiple Victorian towns have been urged to "take shelter now" as the fire approaches the community.
An emergency warning remains in place for Barton, Jallukar, Jimmy Creek, Kia Ora, Londonderry, Mafeking, Moyston, Watgania, Willaura North.
"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave," the warning said.
The bushfire is travelling from Grampians National Park in an easterly direction and has impacted a communications tower at Mt William, meaning internet and mobile services could be affected.
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Another emergency warning remains for Bellellen, Black Range and Pomonal.
Residents living there have been told to "leave immediately".
"Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay," the warning said.
Five watch and act warnings remain in place, with several downgraded overnight.
Every warning can be found here.
There are currently three relief centres open for those who evacuated due to the fires.
- Ararat: Alexandra Oval Community Centre, 1 Waratah Ave.
- Stawell: Grampians Community Health (known as "The Shacc"), 22 Patrick Street.
- Hamilton: Monivae College
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Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner and Deputy Premier said yesterday that the fire was expected to burn for weeks.
There have been no residential homes destroyed, however Nugent said he "wouldn't be surprised" if some houses were lost.
He said fences, livestock and some outbuildings and sheds had been either lost or damaged by the fire.
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll also announced that government disaster assistance was available for communities affected by the fires.
The disaster relief will apply to residents living in four local government areas: Ararat, the southern Grampians, the northern Grampians and the Macedon shire.
"We know this is a challenging time for all communities, and all communities will be supported through this period," Carroll said.
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Conditions improve
Victoria experienced one of the worst fire days in years yesterday, with temperatures climbing to 40 degrees in parts of the state.
The heat was paired with severe and damaging winds, with some peak gusts of 100km/h recorded, creating dangerous conditions.
A total fire ban was also declared for the state.
Conditions today however have been welcomed by many residents and firefighters, with a top 22 degrees expected for Melbourne,
"It was a hot and windy day across much of south-eastern Australia," meteorologist Jonathan Howe said.
"It was quite windy before the cool change and we did wind gusts of up to 144km/h in Gellibrand in Victoria and we did see wind gusts of up to 95km/h in west Victoria, including around the fire ground in the Grampians.
'We did see the temperature drop 12 degrees in the space of hour in Portland and by 10 degrees in the Grampians."
The heat is expected to hold off for another few days, with a high fire danger declared for much of the state.
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