The fire that originated from Longwood is continuing to spread in the catastrophic fire conditions, with an increasing number of towns under threat.
Since 9am on Friday 9 January, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) has issued:
A Leave Now warning for the townships of Barjarg, Bonnie Doon, Creek Junction, Dry Creek, Maindample, Tallangallook and Too-rour at 9.58am.
A Take Shelter Now warning for Caveat, Creightons Creek, Dropmore, Gobur, Gooram, Highlands, Kanumbra, Kelvin View, Locksley, Longwood, Longwood East, Ruffy, Strathbogie, Tarcombe, Terip Terip and Upton Hill at 10.50am
A Leave Immediately warning for Cathkin, Caveat, Ghin Ghin, Highlands, Kanumbra, Killingworth, Koriella, Limestone, Molesworth, Whanregarwen, Yarck at 10.51am.
A Take Shelter Now warning for Alexandra, Devils River, Fawcett, Lake Eildon and Maintongoon at 11.05am
A Take Shelter Now warning for Ancona, Fawcett, Gooram, Merton, Strathbogie, Strathbogie South and Woodfield at 11.25am.
A Leave Immediately warning for Acheron, Devils River, Eildon, Taylor Bay, Thornton issued at 11.54am.
The fire is moving in a south-easterly direction from Longwood towards Eildon. 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.
Residents currently affected by Leave Immediately warnings must leave by 1pm via the Taggerty Thornton Road and down the Maroondah Highway, and do not travel into Alexandra.
A strike team of local brigades from Coldstream, Badger Creek, Lilydale, Healesville, Mt Evelyn and Yarra Glen is assembling at Alexandra CFA station.
