Residents in Victoria’s west have been urged to leave immediately as an out-of-control bushfire burns their way.

Vic Emergency issued the warning for people in Mafeking and Watgania to immediately leave on Friday afternoon, due to the fire in the Grampians National Park.

The blaze on Yarram Gap Road was burning out of control towards the towns, with Mafeking warned it could be impacted within an hour.

Friday’s emergency came as temperatures soared in the region and the blaze, which began on Tuesday after lightning strikes, spread to at least 7800 hectares.

“This is one that’s unfortunately going to be with us for quite a while,” State Control Centre spokesman Luke Hegarty said.

An afternoon wind change was expected to present challenges for firefighters and send smoke across central western Victoria.

“This afternoon, we are expecting this fire to really have the potential to grow,” Hegarty said.

Authorities have also urged residents of Karabeal, south-west of the Grampians, to stay near shelter after a grassfire sparked near Walters road.

There are fires burning in at least six parts of Victoria, and a watch and act warning was also issued for Woodland Close and The Gurdies near French Island.

Back near the Grampians, Dunkeld Caravan Park caretaker Erin Hinchliffe said fire’s timing just before Christmas was a major hit to what would have been the campground’s busiest period since before the pandemic.

“We had a full house. It was the first time in six years that we’ve been able to get the occupancy up over Christmas and New Year period,” she said.

The campsite remained open for business but there has been 30 cancellations. Just four sites remain booked.

“I think we’re starting to get a little bit on edge because of not knowing what’s actually going to happen with the weather patterns today … I know a lot of resources have been put into it,” Hinchcliffe told ABC Radio Melbourne.

People in the Bornes Hill, Grampians, Jimmy Creek, Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley areas were issued an alert to prepare to leave “immediately” as the fire spread north on Friday.

Emergency Management Victoria controller Mark Gunning said the area around the fire was already extremely dry and very little rain was forecast.

Fire situation in the Grampians really heating up. For those living in and around the Grampians stay connected, stay informed and keep your VIC Emergency App near and have your Emergency Broadcaster on. Time to act is now. 📷 courtesy FFMV. pic.twitter.com/mIJwjwENss

— CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan (@CFAChiefOfficer) December 20, 2024

Extreme fire danger was forecast and there were total fire bans for Victoria’s western Wimmera and Mallee districts on Friday.

High fire danger is expected to persist in western, north-western and northern Victoria into next week.

“On days like today, the situation can change rapidly and we can’t guarantee a fire truck will be able to get to every home in an emergency,” Gunning said.

“A significant part of the state’s aviation firefighting fleet is dedicated to this fire, including two large air tankers bombing continuously.”

The bushfire reached Serra Road, near Teddy Bear Gap, on Friday morning. It was expected to continue spreading north.

Some roads and areas of the Southern Grampians were closed but large, popular tourist sections of the national park remained open to visitors.

-with AAP