News Service from House Harris

Vic: Dozens of Victorian towns on alert as heat, wind returns

MELBOURNE, Feb 23 AAP - Dozens of communities - including many already ravaged by bushfires - are on alert once again as dangerous bushfire weather grips Victoria.

A total fire ban has been declared in all but Victoria's southwestern region and residents in the Warburton region, the Yarra Valley and at Enoch Point, near Eildon, have been warned to decide as early as possible to leave or stay and fight any bushfire that may come.

Of most concern is the giant East Kilmore-Murrindindi fire We're talking about temperatures to the mid-30s with a northwesterly wind and a late chance with southwesterly winds," Department of Sustainability and Environment spokesman Lee Miezis said.

Enoch Point residents and those in the Yarra Valley including communities near Warburton, East Warburton, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown, Launching Place, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek, Woori Yallock, Yellingbo, Seville, Wandin and McMahons Creek have been urged to get out early or be prepared to fight.

Other areas, including Arthurs Creek, Christmas Hills, Smiths Gully, St Andrews, Strathewen, Yan Yean, Yarra Glen, Yering, Steels Creek and Dixons Creek, have been warned to be ready to implement their bushfire plans because of the extreme conditions.

Many of these areas, on the southern flank of the Kilmore East Murrindindi fire, suffered fatalities and massive property losses in Victoria's bushfire disaster.

Residents of Eildon, Snobs Creek, Jerusalem Creek, Alexandra, Rubicon, Thornton and Jamieson areas are on the same alert.

"We've focused on consolidating our control lines and putting in as much backburning as we can ahead of time," Mr Miezis said.

"There's been a confused message in the Warburton area. We've had reports that people have been evacuated but we want to remind people about the stay or go bushfire policy.

"That means that people must decide to stay or leave as early as possible, and that means tonight or Monday morning. If you see flames, it's too late to leave."

Four major fires remain out of control in Victoria.

The north and south sectors of the Kilmore East-Murrindindi complex have together burned out almost 235,000ha of land.

The Bunyip Ridge blaze has consumed more than 26,000ha while the fire in the Wilsons Promontory National park remained active overnight, and has burned 21,000ha.