Firefighters continue to battle Vic blazes

Firefighters are facing a long night, battling two separate bushfires in Victoria's southwest.

Firefighters will work through the night to battle two bushfires burning in Victoria's southwest, with warnings downgraded.

Two unoccupied houses were destroyed after a grassfire broke out at Dreeite South which is near Colac in the state's southwest but it was brought under control on Thursday night.

Earlier an emergency warning had been issued advising residents they were in immediate danger and would need to take action.

"It's a fire that's been burning in open country but it's been very difficult to access due to stony rises," Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley told ABC on Thursday.

The alert for Mumbannar, on the South Australian border has also been downgraded to a Watch and Act.

"Firefighters have slowed the spread of the fire and continue control efforts," the CFA warning said.

At Mumbannar, the blaze "had houses in its direct path within minutes of it starting," Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said.

Victorian and South Australian firefighters are trying to bring the blaze under control, with support from firefighting aircraft.

Melbourne was expected to reach 39C on Thursday and still be 30C at midnight.

Temperatures were forecast to reach into the low-to-mid 40s across the state, particularly in the north and west.


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Source: AAP


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