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Residents have been told to "shelter indoors now" as an out-of-control grass fire burns towards Mount Mercer in Victoria's west.
The blaze was at Kleins Road in Dereel and travelling east, prompting the emergency warning just before 9pm for Corindhap, Dereel and Rokewood Junction.
"You are in danger, act now to protect yourself," the emergency alert said.
For the latest advice and warnings, visit Vic Emergency website
"It is too late to leave … The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
"Do not get in the car and drive. It is safer to stay where you are."
Some Victorian residents have opted to remain in bushfire areas to protect their homes as the state faces its most dangerous conditions in four years.
More than 30,000 residents in western Victoria fire-risk zones were urged to leave their homes yesterday with half the state under an extreme fire danger warning.
A windy 35 degrees is forecast for Mount Mercer tomorrow.
READ MORE: Latest updates: Half of Victoria under extreme fire danger warning
Beaufort resident Sarah Beaumont decided to stay to protect her sprawling property, the Eurambeen Historic Homestead and Gardens.
Beaumont and her partner have prepared with sprinklers, a fire truck and hydrants.
"This is such an important, historic building, that we would hate to lose it," she told 9News.
"We run our business from here. We've got a wedding this Saturday, and we don't want to let anybody down."
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The nearby Bayindeen bushfire is burning just 30 kilometres away from Beaufort.
Authorities earlier warned residents in fire zones to evacuate with extremely hot weather and strong winds the biggest threat to the area over tonight.
Another Beaufort resident Ron Davis was today packing everything he owned to leave the small town.
"My life is in the back of this transit van," Davis said.
"I've got everything in there that is special to me and means a lot to me."
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Firefighters have been targeting spot fires sparked by the huge Bayindeen fire.
A watch and act message for the communities of Amphitheatre, Bayindeen, Ben Nevis, Chute, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlogie, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch and Raglan is currently in place and residents have been told to stay away from the area.
The fire is threatening major tourist destinations in the Grampians, including the popular hub Halls Gap.
Relief centres have already been set up at Ararat and in Maryborough.
Parts of the state have reached 40 degrees and wind gusts of up to 96 kilometres have been reported.
The threat is still far from over, with predictions dry lightning could strike and cause a bushfire.
The catastrophic fire danger warning will likely be in place until at least midnight.
