Heatwave warning for weekend as crews contain Mt Lang fire

Fire crews have controlled a 93-hectare blaze in the Grampians National Park.

In a statement, Forest Fire Management Victoria said the blaze began last week after a lightning strike.

"The fire is in steep and rocky terrain which has proven challenging for firefighters and machinery to access. Ground crews have been airlifted in, to attack the fire with hand tools," it said.

"There has also been aggressive attack with aircraft which has greatly restricted the spread of the fire."

Incident Controller Mal Gibson said the fire presented no risk to camping.

"we will be patrolling and mopping up over the next few days, Monday in particular," he said.

"Our biggest concern now is new fires starting during the coming heatwave."

Update 3.27pm:

Fire crews have contained a bush fire at Mount William in the Grampians, and are making progress on another burning in the national park.

In an update at 3.27pm, Forest Fire Management Victoria said firefighters were patrolling the six-hectare blaze east of Moyston, and that Mt William Road and Serra Road remained closed.

It also said a 93-hectare blaze continued to burn in a remote part of the park north of Mirranatwa and Mafeking.

"Emergency service vehicles, machinery and aircraft are continuing to work in the area. Smoke from the fire has reduced significantly and it is business as usual for visitors to the Grampians National Park," the alert said.

"The fire continues to burn slowly within the containment lines and crews and aircraft are making great progress on this fire."

In Horsham, Ambulance Victoria has confirmed paramedics were called to a "locked in vehicle" incident at 3.10pm on Firebrace Street.

A spokeswoman said while paramedics attended, they ultimately did not need to treat anyone.

Update 3pm: Emergency services have confirmed a fire in the Grampians continues to burn out of control.

The most recent warning from Forest Fire Management Victoria said there was no threat to surrounding communities.

On Thursday afternoon, Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp advised people against going camping over the coming days, as a heatwave with the risk of dry lightning was set to sweep across Victoria.

He said a decision would be made tomorrow with regards to declaring a Total Fire Ban.

Forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology show Horsham will reach tops of 40 degrees over each of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Department of Health and Human Services has issued health health alerts for Saturday and Sunday in the Wimmera. These are issued when the temperature exceeds a heat above which heat-related illness and mortality increases substantially.

9.38am: FOREST Fire Management Victoria has advised people to avoid the Grampians Tourist Road with a bushfire at Mount Lang in Grampians National Park not yet under control.

In a message to Grampians, Jimmy Creek, Mafeking, Mirranatwa residents released at 3.55pm on Wednesday, the organisation said the fire could be seen from the Grampians Tourist Road and Halls Gap

It said the fire did not represent a threat to surrounding communities.

The size of the bushfire is maintained at 93 hectares and 23 emergency service vehicles, machinery and aircraft are working in the area.

The fire has been burning since Sunday, December 22.

Forest Fire Management Victoria said they would issue another update by 4pm on Thursday or as the situation changes.

The Country Fire Authority declared a very high fire danger warning for the Wimmera on Thursday.

READ MORE: Forest Fire Management Victoria issues advice to residents as fires flare up in Little Desert National Park, Grampians

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