Victorian Firefighters To Battle Through The Night
Hundreds of firefighters will work through the night battling blazes across Victoria's east as raging bushfires continue to threaten homes and properties.
Dozens of communities are at risk with at least four fires burning out-of-control on Saturday with many residents in nearby towns told to take shelter or to leave before it was too late.
A massive 3400 hectare blaze is tearing through the Bunyip State Park, near Tonumbik about 65 kilometres east of Melbourne, after four smaller fires merged on Saturday.
The bushfire prompted an emergency warning and has been edging toward the Princes Freeway, which remains closed at Nar Nar Goon.
Smoke and ash from the fire blacked out the sun for those living in the surrounding area.
Garfield man Steven Clarke said heavy smoke from the fire blocked the sun.
"We have not seen the sun all day," Mr Clarke told AAP.
READ MORE: 'Too Late To Leave': Emergency Alert Issued For Victoria Fires
Burnt leaves and debris had been raining down on the property and he said the grass in the area was dry.
"We haven't had spot fires but everything around us is black," he said.
Water bombers will be used throughout the night to tackle the blaze along with about 300 firefighters on the ground, according to the State Emergency Control Centre.
So far there have been no reports of property or livestock losses.
Three other fires are also expected to burn into the night with a fire at Budgeree in the LaTrobe Valley prompting an emergency warning.
The fire is still out of control and is burning just 1.8km away from Yinnar South.
"Communities could be impacted anytime within the next six hours as the wind direction changes," the warning states.
Residents have been urged to leave now and a relief centre is open at Kernot Hall in Morwell.
At Licola in the state's east two fires joined and destroyed 1000 ha with embers and burnt material blowing around the town.
A Watch and Act warning remains in place for Licola and surrounding towns who have been told to shelter as conditions may change.
Farther east, a bushfire at Dargo was downgraded on Saturday, but a Watch and Act warning remains.
Dargo was expected to be hit by bushfires on Saturday afternoon but reduced weather conditions and water bombers have helped reduce the severity of the fires.
A total fire ban has been declared across Victoria for Sunday with the weather bureau expecting another hot and dry day with temperatures in the 40s for the north of the state.
"This is the hottest start to autumn in 30 years, following the hottest summer on record," senior forecaster Tom Delamotte said.
"The forecast is for very hot temperatures continuing for the rest of the weekend without much relief from the heat overnight. This means that if we have fires in the landscape they could challenge firefighters," he said.
Around 30 smaller fires are still burning throughout Victoria.
Featured Image: Joel Stewart (Supplied).