A Watch and Act warning has been issued for a fire burning through dense and dry bushland at Dr Ken Leversha Reserve in Montrose, at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges.

The Country Fire Authority urge residents in Montrose and Kilsyth to prepare to leave as gusty winds blow flames in the direction of homes to its south and east. 

There are homes within 50 to 100 metres of the fire in Montrose.

The bushfire ignited about 2pm today and has since burned through more than eight hectares of land.

More than 40 firefighter trucks and three helicopters are at the scene, fighting to contain the blaze. 

“Crews are basically putting the line around it and making sure that the properties on the southern and eastern side of the fire are safe,” Country Fire Authority chief officer Alen Slijepcevic said.

The concern for firefighters is strong westerly winds forecast to arrive, which threaten to worsen the conditions.

According to the Country Fire Authority, it is too early to determine how the fire started.

Temperatures reached the mid-30s in Melbourne today as a band of heat moved over several southeast states. 

Horsham hit 39 degrees. 

The entire state of Victoria was under a high fire danger warning today, with the warning to stay in place into tomorrow. 

Temperatures in Melbourne are forecast to drop to 26 degrees tomorrow with a chance of rain.