Victorians suffering through days of smoke haze drifting into their community from a burning coal mine are being offered free train trips out of town.
The Hazelwood mine in the Latrobe Valley has been burning for nearly three weeks, blanketing Morwell in falling ash and smoke.
Thousands enduring the fumes, however, can now breathe easier with the state government coughing up the cash to cover their train tickets.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder says return train tickets to anywhere in Victoria are a goodwill gesture for those wanting to escape the smokey conditions.
"There are plenty of options for Morwell people to take a trip to town for lunch, a movie, or a spot of shopping," he said in a statement.
There are also weekly grants of up to $1250 for families who have decided to leave their homes.
Health authorities upgraded warnings to urge the elderly, children, pregnant woman and those with heart or lung conditions to leave Morwell South, but have not called for a total evacuation of the area.
The fire is expected to keep billowing coal smoke over Morwell for another 10 days.
