A waterbombing aircraft has been deployed to support firefighting efforts on the New South Wales border, where a significant bushfire is blazing 25 kilometers west of Walwa, near Wodonga.

This afternoon, the fire altered its course from a southeasterly to a southerly direction and is now moving through Mt Lawson State Park, heading towards Bungil.

Authorities are urging residents in Bungil, Granya, and Thologolong to evacuate without delay, advising them to travel along Murray River Road towards Wodonga for safety.

VicEmergency has issued a warning that properties in the area could be at risk.

“Evacuating immediately is the safest course of action, as conditions may soon become perilous,” the agency cautioned.

“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”

The inferno has forced the closure of several roads in the area, including Murray River Road between Granya Gap Road and Guys Forest Road, as well as Guys Forest Road, between the Murray River Road and Burrowye Road intersection.

They will remain open for local traffic to evacuate, VicEmergency said.

Earlier this morning, CFA and Fire Forest Management Victoria (FFMV) crews undertook ” very successful” backburning activities last night to combat the spread of the blaze.

“The idea is to remove those fuels under the night conditions overnight so that we’re not having those areas burn in the heat of the day with strong northerly winds behind them,” CFA incident controller Aaron Kennedy said.

Despite their efforts to limit the spread of the blaze, a “significant area of unburned fuel” between backburned land and the fire itself has authorities on alert.

“We are working today with our aircraft and the firefighters on the ground to ensure that as area that burns out, that we can try amd reduce the overall fire intensity,” Kennedy said.

“With the resources we’ve got, we’re pretty confident we can at least monitor and maintain the backburn operations in place.”

Elevated fire conditions, including intense heat and a forecast wind change on Friday, could see the fire surge in size and intensity, Kennedy warned.

“We are asking community members to remain vigilant, but particularly landholders in those affected areas, in the Burrowye area, in Bungil, in the Thologolong area, to make sure they are preparing to make sure their property is prepared for a fire, “Kennedy said.

A caravan on a private property was lost to the Walwa fire, Kennedy said.

There has been no other loss of property, livestock or human life.

Northern Grampians fire downgraded 

The fire is burning out of control on the Sunraysia Highway in the Northern Grampians, about 100km west of Bendigo in Victoria’s Central-West district.

Nearly four dozen fire crews are battling the blaze, which is travelling from the north in a south-easterly direction towards Moyreisk, a rural town with 31 residents.

Residents in Moyreisk, Natte Yallock, Redbank and Stuart Mill were told to evacuate south along the Sunraysia Highway towards Ballarat around midday.

The Sunraysia Highway is closed to the public but open for people leaving the area.

“The Peacock Road and Coates road could be impacted anytime,” VicEmergency said.

“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.”

That warning has been downgraded to a watch and act.

Temperatures are expected to reach into the mid-40s across parts of Victoria, with a high of 42 degrees forecast for Melbourne.

A third grassfire has started on Plenty Road in Yan Yean, on Melbourne’s north-eastern fringe.

There is no threat to the community, but residents should stay informed.

“Firefighters have stopped the spread of the fire, however hay bales will continue to smoulder for some time,” VicEmergency said.

Fire authorities are expected to provide an update on weather and fire conditions across the state this afternoon.