UPDATE 7.10pm: The grass fire alongside the Western Freeway near Pentland Hills has been declared under control, however it has been reported that 50-100 round bales of hay are on fire in the area.
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Traffic is banked up Melbourne-bound to before Pentland Hills Road, and is now being diverted along the old Western Highway.
The emergency warnings and watch and act warnings remain in place and 26 vehicles remain at the scene.
VicRoads have just released a statement.
"The Western Freeway is closed in both directions between Bacchus Marsh and Myrniong, due to a grass fire.
Melbourne-bound traffic is exiting at Greendale-Myrniong Road.
Ballarat-bound motorists should exit and detour through Bacchus Marsh.
We suggest motorists delay their travel or allow plenty of extra time for the detour through Gisborne, Woodend and Trentham.
This closure is under the control of emergency services and will be re-opened when it's safe to do so."
Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or via the VicTraffic mobile app. The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.
EARLIER: An emergency warning has been issued for areas near Pentland Hills Road.
The CFA reports that: This Emergency Warning is being issued for Ingliston, Myrniong, Pentland Hills.
- There is a grassfire at Myrniong that is not yet under control.
- The grassfire is travelling from Pentland Hills Road in a south easterly direction towards Bacchus Marsh.
Properties on Pentland Hills Road could be impacted anytime. Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
A watch and act message has also been activated for areas west of the fire ground, including northern suburbs of Bacchus Marsh.
Homes in Pentland Hills Road are being reported as being under threat.
EARLIER: A FIRE has been reported on the Western Freeway, Melbourne bound this evening near Pentland Hills.
CFA crews are currently on the scene of fires near the intersection of Pentland Hills Road and Western Freeway with three buildings reported as being under immediate threat.
The Western Freeway has been closed between from the Myrniong exit Melbourne bound.
An emergency warning has just been issued along the Western Freeway between Myrniong and Bacchus Marsh.
At least 12 trucks have been called to the scene as well as air support.
Motorists driving to Melbourne this evening are being warned to expect some delays on the road with the fire remaining out of control.
At this stage it is not clear how the fire has started.
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