A bushfire has destroyed a house in Victoria's southwest, but the fate of the occupants is not yet known.
A Country Fire Authority spokeswoman said while the house was destroyed at Wensleydale, in the Otway Ranges, it's not yet known if anyone was inside.
Two firefighting aircraft, more than 100 firefighters and 28 fire trucks are there but the fire is not yet under control.
A watch and act alert has been issued by the CFA for Wensleydale, advising residents that leaving now is the safest option and warning that the fire is moving slowly southeast.
Anglesea, Gherang, Sokel, Wensleydale, Winchelsea South and Wurdiboluc have been advised to stay informed and monitor conditions.
The fire broke out in bush at Wensleydale, near Winchelsea, at about 3pm on Monday.
Total fire bans have been declared for all central and western districts of Victoria on Tuesday as a blast of spring heat gives the state its first taste of the long fire season ahead.
Classic bushfire weather will hit drought-affected Victoria tomorrow, with strong northwesterly winds gusting to 100km/h expected, before a cool and largely dry southwesterly change from early afternoon.
Total fire bans have been declared in six districts - Central, North Central, Northern Country, South West, Wimmera and Mallee.
They affect metropolitan Melbourne and the regional centres of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour, Mildura, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Warrnambool, Hamilton and Horsham.
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