Fire swept through the town of Harcourt on Friday. Photo: ABC News/Josie Taylor
Authorities issued evacuation orders for Victoria's Otways region, as two fires burned out of control in the Great Otway National Park in the state's southwest .
One emergency-level fire was burning on Cape Otway, west of Apollo Bay, and the other was burning at Carlisle River, between Kennedys Creek and Irrewillipe East.
Authorities urged those in the area to leave immediately, before conditions become too dangerous.
Two emergency-level fires are burning in the Otways region. Photo: VicEmergency
The Cape Otway fire started near the Great Ocean Road and was travelling from the Sandy Ridge Track in a southeasterly direction.
The Carlisle River was burning out of control in two locations, near Kennedys Creek and Irrewillipe.
The fire near Kennedys Creek was travelling from Trotters Lane in a southeasterly direction towards Bones Track.
The fire near Irrewillipe was burning around Pipeline Road in a northeasterly direction towards Irrewillipe East. Authorities said the fire was moving toward properties.
The Great Ocean Road closed between Apollo Bay and Lavers Hill, authorities said, and further closures on the Great Ocean Road were possible.
On Saturday morning, Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said some bushfires were started by lightning overnight, both in the Otways and Gippsland regions.
Authorities said the conditions around the fire were volatile and more resources were being sent to the fire from Geelong.
At least 130 homes were destroyed by bushfires across Victoria, according to emergency services, with that figure expected to rise.
The Ravenswood fire inflicted the most damage to homes, razing at least 50 structures - many of those in the town of Harcourt, about 35km south of Bendigo.
A man in his 60s was found dead in a vehicle in Harcourt, with police saying his death was not believed to be directly related to the fire.
Wiebusch said at least 30 buildings were confirmed lost in the Longwood fire in central Victoria, with aerial assessments continuing on Saturday.
He said people should not return to areas that had been burnt, until authorities gave the all-clear.
The Longwood fire was still threatening communities, with emergency warnings in place near towns, including Alexandra, Yea and Eildon.
More than 22,000 people are without power across Victoria, with nearly 20,000 of those in eastern Victoria.
- ABC
