Sweltering conditions and dense scrub mean crews will need to battle overnight to contain an out-of-control bush fire east of Melbourne.
Emergency services were called to Bunyip State Park, 65km east of the city, on Wednesday afternoon to tackle the blaze.
Ground crews and water bombers had managed to stop the spread of the fire near Burgess Rd, a Country Fire Authority spokeswoman said on Wednesday evening.
"Bulldozers are building control lines around the fire perimeter which has burnt 26 hectares," she said.
Firefighters are expected to contain the burn overnight and while residents of the nearby town of Gembroo are not at risk they have been urged to stay alert.
However there is smoke in the area and people experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing have been told to call triple zero.
