Smoke and ash from a bushfire raging in Victoria's east has blocked out the sun with lives and properties at risk from the blaze.
Four fires merged at Bunyip State Park near Tonimbik about 65km east of Melbourne causing a blaze about 3400 hectares in size, according to the Country Fire Authority.
Garfield man Steven Clarke said the fire "took off" on Friday and heavy smoke had blocked the sun.
"We have not seen the sun all day," Mr Clarke told AAP.
Burnt leaves and debris had been raining down on the property and he said the grass in the area was dry.
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"We haven't had spot fires but everything around us is black," he said.
He said many of his neighbours had already moved their livestock as a precaution and he planned to move his animals if the fire got closer.
An emergency warning for the fire been issued with residents told it's too late to leave.
The warning applies to Bunyip, Bunyip North, Cornucopia, Garfield, Garfield North, Gembrook, Gentle Annie, Labertouche, Longwarry, Longwarry North, Maryknoll, Nar Nar Goon, Nar Nar Goon North, Tonimbuk, Tynong and Tynong North.
The fire is threatening properties in the Maryknoll and Cornucopia area.
About 300 firefighters and emergency workers are fighting the blaze which was started by multiple lightning strikes on March 1, Incident Controller Ivan Smith said.
Air support is attempting to tackle the blaze and local Country Fire Authority crews are being supported by additional resources including bulldozers and graders, he said.
So far there have been no reports of property or livestock losses.
Another bushfire at Budgeree in the Latrobe Valley area has prompted an emergency warning.
"Communities listed could be impacted anytime within the next six hours as the wind direction changes," the warning states.
Residents have been urged to leave now and a relief centre is open at Kernot Hall in Morwell.
Farther east, a bushfire at Dargo was downgraded on Saturday, but a Watch and Act warning remains.
Dargo was expected to be hit by bushfires on Saturday afternoon but reduced weather conditions and water bombers have helped reduced the severity of the fires.
Residents have been told leaving is still the safest option and to take Dargo Road and head towards Sale.
A total fire ban has been declared across Victoria for Sunday with the weather bureau expecting another hot and dry day with temperatures in the 40s for the north of the state.
"This is the hottest start to autumn in 30 years, following the hottest summer on record," senior forecaster Tom Delamotte said.
"The forecast is for very hot temperatures continuing for the rest of the weekend without much relief from the heat overnight.This means that if we have fires in the landscape they could challenge firefighters," he said.
