Authorities are warning people to evacuate immediately or prepare to leave from 28 communities in Victoria's west, as spot fires push the blaze eastward.
"The smoke column has reached approximately 10 kilometres into the sky and for firefighters that means it is going to be very challenging but also a very dynamic and dangerous situation," Victorian Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan told ABC News on Thursday.
"It is starting to throw spots into surrounding areas."
The emergency warning for residents to leave immediately has been extended to include Beaufort, where 470 homes are now without power, Powercor said.
The Western Highway has been closed in both directions between Ballarat and Ararat, with diversions set up using the Sunraysia Highway and Pyrenees Highway via Avoca.
People in the fire area have been urged to head east towards Ballarat, where a relief centre has been set up at a sports reserve in the suburb of Wendouree.
V/Line services on the Ararat Line have been suspended.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the fire near Warrak had moved through forested areas, burning at least 12,000 hectares and was spotting more than 600m ahead of the firefront.
Firefighting aircraft have been sent to fight the fire and protect properties in the firing line, she added.
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Bayindeen, Buangor, Middle Creek, Mount Cole.— cfa_updates (@CFA_Updates) Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. More details at: https://t.co/7dYhS36Vhw pic.twitter.com/N2pkZMa9F9February 22, 2024
Firefighters in Tasmania are battling several blazes including an out-of-control fire in the central highlands near Bradys Lake.An emergency warning has been issued for the Dee community and surrounds.
Some 20 aircraft and two dozen crews have been attempting to control the fire, Tasmania Fire Service Deputy Chief Officer Matt Lowe said.
"The fire remains uncontained, and crews are dealing with tough conditions amid strong gusty winds and dry vegetation," he said.
Western Australia has total fire bans in place for multiple districts from Gin Gin south down the Darling Range to Bunbury and Bridgetown, taking in Perth and Mandurah.
Part of the Eyre Highway is closed, shutting off the western side of the Nullarbor as an out-of-control blaze near Balladonia - where a watch and act warning is in place- burns into a third week.
Emergency services have told people at the Balladonia Roadhouse to go west towards Norseman.
South Australia's Country Fire Service has declared an extreme fire risk in the Mid North, the Murraylands, Riverland and the Upper and Lower South East regions.
Severe Weather Update: Extreme Fire dangers for SE Aus. Video current: 10am AEDT 22 February 2024. For the latest forecasts and warnings go to our website: — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) https://t.co/4W35o8iFmh pic.twitter.com/ueiuYKMBoIFebruary 22, 2024
Temperatures have topped 40C in northwest Victoria, and storms are expected to bring 80km/h winds and dry lightning into the afternoon.
Lightning strikes remain a big concern after most of last week's fires in Victoria were sparked by strikes.
"We have water aircraft dispersed around the state and they can get to those fires that are difficult to access as quickly as possible," Victoria's State Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a cool change bringing storms that will move into southwest Victoria in the late afternoon and reach the northeast overnight.
20°C