Emergency warning issued over out-of-control fire menacing Grantville
An emergency warning has been issued for an out-of-control bushfire threatening homes and lives at Adams Estate, south-east of Melbourne.
The Bass Highway at Grantville has been closed as more than 100 firefighters battle the blaze, with residents of Adams Estate being told to leave before conditions become too dangerous.
An emergency warning was earlier issued for Adams Estate and the nearby towns of Almurta, Glen Forbes and Grantville.
Authorities warned the bushfire at June Street in Glen Forbes was travelling in a northerly direction towards Adams Estate and the Bass Highway.
Adams Estate, which is in the Bass Coast region near Phillip Island, has been closed to returning residents, as has McGrady Road.
Residents are being told to head to the Grantville Information Centre at 1504 Bass Highway.
The fire is believed to have started in the Grantville Nature Reserve earlier on Friday, but firefighters were unable to stop it due to inaccessible bush land.
About 10 aircraft were battling the blaze and working to suppress the spread of fire, a State Control Centre spokeswoman said at 7pm.
"Adams Estate could be impacted any time within the next 90 minutes," the warning issued shortly before 6pm said.
"Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay."
Forest Fire Management Victoria's Andrew Graystone told the ABC the fire was burning in coastal gum communities.
"So it's very flammable, very dry, and there's quite a stiff wind meaning that the fire is burning very hot," he told the ABC.
"The fire is about 300 metres south-west of the Adams Estate and is moving quite quickly towards that estate."
He added fire crews were hoping to contain the blaze once it left the reserve.
"Once the fire does move out of the bush reserve it's burning in, it comes into more rural properties and we're hopeful that we've got a better chance of containing it once it comes out," Mr Graystone said.
A second emergency warning was also issued for residents in Tanjil South, a rural town in eastern Victoria, seven kilometres north of Moe about 3pm Friday.
It was downgraded to a watch and act warning just after 5.30pm for all areas in the region except Moe-Walhalla road where homes still remain at risk.
A bushfire, which is not yet under control, is travelling in an easterly direction towards Moe-Walhalla Road.
About 25 fire trucks remain at the scene.
The fire started in Moondarra State Park and is travelling parallel to the transmissions lines, Emergency Victoria said.
The blaze is currently 10 hectares in size.