Crews remain at the scene of under control fire on Western Highway

Road blocks have been put up at Ararat's Western Highway entrance, where Barkly and High Streets meet, stopping motorists from travelling east onto the Western Highway.

Police are still on scene assisting and directing traffic. 

Motorists are being directed through Warrak and can expect the detour to add about five minutes to their trip.

Update, 5.54pm

The fire has been listed as under control.  

Update, 5.45pm

About 25 fire trucks are working to contain a grassfire on the Western Highway at Buangor.

CFA District 16 operations manager Bernie Fradd said aircraft were also called to assist in controlling the fire.

"At this stage we think size is between 20 and 40 hectares," he said.

"We haven't been able to map it yet and the fire is contained at this stage.

"There will be a large amount of blacking out over the next few days to ensure it does not start back up again."

Mr Fradd said no residential property has been impacted by the fire, but "a couple of sheds" have potentially lost.

A CFA media spokesman said trains continued to run "without issue" as the fire burnt.

"Trains were going through slowly but they continued on as they normally would," he said.

Toni Hobson was driving home along the Western Highway on Wednesday when the fire was in full force.

"The smoke was covering the whole highway," she said.

"The black smoke was just filling the sky. I was driving along flashing my lights at trucks to stop."

Update, 4.14pm Wednesday 

THE emergency warning issued for the area between the Western Highway near Buangor and Challicum Hills Wind Farm has been changed to a Watch and Act.

The Country Fire Authority still recommends leaving if you are in the impacted area, and the warning reads as follows:

'The area between the Western Highway and Challicum Hills wind farm could be impacted anytime within the next hour. Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.'

There are currently 17 vehicles on scene and seven more on the way.

Update, 3.44pm Wednesday 

EMERGENCY services have issued an emergency warning for the fire along the Western Highway.

The warning states the following:

The grass fire is travelling in a south easterly direction towards Challicum Hills wind farm. 

The area between the Western Highway and Challicum Hills wind farm could be impacted anytime within the next one hour. Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.

What you should do:

• When you leave take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.

Travel to:

• The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
• In the car:
• If you are travelling, do not enter the area. U-turn to safety.
• Slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
• Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.  

If you are unable to leave seek shelter indoors:

• Close all exterior doors, windows and vents.
• Turn off cooling systems.
• You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you.
• Shelter in a room that has two exits including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
• If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.

Impacts in your area:

• Grassfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the flames reach you.
• Grassfires can start and spread quickly and are extremely dangerous.

This messages was issued by Country Fire Authority.

Update, 3.30pm Wednesday

The Western Highway has been closed on both sides due to the grass fire on the roadside west of Buangor.

There are now six vehicles on site and seven more are on the way.

Current advice is to monitor the situation.

Further updates to come.

Earlier

FIRE fighters are on scene at a grass fire on the Western Highway west of Buangor.

The Country Fire Authority was alerted to the fire at 2.19pm Wednesday afternoon. 

As at 2.30pm, two vehicles were on scene.

Shortly after, at 2.26pm, a small tree fire broke out at Mount Langi Ghiran along Lagoon Track. 

No vehicles were on scene at the time this story was published and no safety warnings have been issued for either fire.

More to come. 

Related:Speeding motorists continue to put emergency crews at risk.

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