Bushfires ripping through Victoria’s west are forcing dozens of communities to evacuate their homes.
The blaze started between Mount Cole and Raglan and the increased number of towns under threat is due to a wind change that steered the fire further north.
At least 1000 firefighters are still trying to extinguish the inferno between Ballarat and Ararat on Bayindeen Rocky Rd.
The evacuated towns include Amphitheatre, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlofty, Glenlogie, Glenpatrick, Glenshee, Green Hill Creek, Landsborough, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch, Nowhere Creek, Percydale and Warrenmang.
Relief centres have been opened at the CE Brown reserve, the Lake Wendouree Football Club and Alexander Oval in Ararat, as well as Princes Park in Maryborough.
Many roads have also been closed due to the flames, including the Western Hwy at the intersection of the highway and Sunraysia Hwy.
Skipton Rd is closed between Skipton and Beaufort, Beaufort Lexton Rd is closed between Beaufort and Lexton.
On Thursday night, train services were also suspended between Ballarat and Ararat.
Further evacuation orders have been issued for residents in: Bayindeen, Ben Nevis, Brewster, Buangor, Buangor East, Chute, Ercildoune, Eurambeen, Eversley, Glenbrae, Glenlogie, Langi Kal Kal, Main Lead, Middle Creek, Mount Cole, Mount Cole Creek, Mount Lonarch, Trawalla, Warrak and Waterloo.