BUNINYONG BLAZE

AN out-of-control bushfire near Ballarat forced dozens to evacuate, with strict fire warnings set for today as temperatures reach 40C.

Residents in Buninyong and Scotsburn were warned yesterday afternoon that it would be too late to leave as the fast-moving bushfire threatened homes and lives.

The 40ha blaze forced fire crews to deploy a large air tanker for the first time in Victoria this fire season, dropping up to 15,000 litres of water at a time.

The bushfire travelled south from Brennans Rd and crossed Nashs Rd and Scotts Lane, towards Pryors Rd, a Vic Emergency warning said.

The emergency message applied to people south of Devonshire Rd, and was updated to include Finns Rd, Platts Rd and Scotts Lane.

An emergency warning was earlier issued for Brennans, Pryors and Platts roads.

“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the warning said.

“The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave, leaving now would be deadly.”

Incident controller Gavin Hope told ABC radio the fire was moving through grassland, “giving us some grief” in forest areas.

The CFA was first alerted to the blaze at 2.35pm and had four aircraft battling the blaze and more than 20 trucks fighting the fire on the ground.

At least 50 firefighters were involved, with bulldozers used to make firebreaks.

The scrub and grassfire appeared to be burning through bushland, away from suburbia.

Flames were seen leaping more than 20m high, and could be seen above the tree- line where the blaze was burning. A relief centre was set up for evacuees at the Buninyong Recreation Reserve.

By 7.15pm the emergency warning for the area had been downgraded to a watch and act.

The CFA warned the fire was not yet under control, but had been slowed significantly.

Weather bureau senior forecaster Chris Godfred said the fire danger would be very high to severe in western Victoria today.

A top temperature of 36C is expected in Ballarat.