The Victorian government will hold an independent inquiry into the Morwell fires which have spread smoke and ash across the town.
Firefighters battling a blaze at the Hazelwood open cut coal mine near Morwell. Photo: AAP / COUNTRY FIRE AUTHORITY
Deputy Premier and Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan says the inquiry will look at all questions being asked about the coal mine fire.
On Friday, the chief health officer advised people aged over 65, pre-school children, pregnant women and anyone with a pre-existing heart or lung condition to move temporarily from Morwell South, the area closest to the mine.
But people outside the vulnerable group are angry with the response by authorities, heckling them at a media conference in the town on Friday.
Mr Ryan says the government's twin focus is on putting out the fire as soon as possible and helping locals as best it can.
Opposition leader Daniel Andrews called on the federal government to take over, saying the state government had botched its response to the people of Morwell.
Mr Andrews said confusing advice was given to residents and an information centre was only set up on Friday.
It's expected to take at least another 10 days to get on top of the fire in the Hazelwood open-cut mine that's been burning for nearly three weeks.
