Victorian bush fires

Crews face tough day at Victoria fires

Hot and gusty conditions and difficult wind changes are set to keep Victoria's firefighters busy at two out-of-control fires burning in the state.

TVNZ,

9 February, 2013

Close to 500 firefighters, over 100 vehicles and several aircraft are battling the Harrietville fire in the alpine country in the state's northeast today.

Flames reached eight metres last night as the blaze breached containment lines.

State control centre spokesman Tony Bearzatto says the fire broke the line near Hotham Heights but there have been no reports of damage to homes or property.

An emergency warning was issued for the area but all residents are believed to have evacuated.

A watch and act warning is in place for Dargo and Omeo at the southern side of the blaze that has so far burned around 15,000 hectares.

Fire crews are also battling the 80,000-hectare Aberfeldy fire in Gippsland.

Bearzatto said a southwesterly change due at the Aberfeldy fire late today could stoke the blaze.

A fire danger rating of very high remains in place for East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland and Central regions, with the fire risk rated severe in the North Central and North East districts.

A total fire ban has been declared in the north country regions.

Bearzatto urged Victorians to stay alert with large parts of the state tinder dry.

"It's important to remember that the conditions leading up to Saturday and the extended dry period that we've had means there is a lot of very dry material out there just waiting to burn," he said.