Updated: 8.40pm
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People in the fire zones in East Gippsland and the North East have been told to evacuate ahead of another "tough time" with hot weather and damaging winds forecast to hit on Friday.
Anybody within the black line on the map above was told on Thursday afternoon get out to safer locations in larger towns and away from bush.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for strong and squally southwesterly winds in the fire zones following a cold front expected to arrive there Friday afternoon.
Wodonga, Wangaratta, Sale, Bairnsdale, Orbost, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek areas are predicted to be hit by damaging winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h, the BOM said.
Victoria's western districts are expected to see the cold front arrive on Friday morning, with it moving across the state during the day.
Severe fire danger is forecast for the Mallee and Northern Country, with total fire bans in place for Friday.
The fire risk in the Wimmera is expected to be very high.
Please monitor the Vic Emergency app for current warnings, and follow our live blog of fire events here.
Earlier:
WITH 23 fires currently active across Victoria and approximately 1.2 million hectares burnt, tomorrow's heat spike day brings an added elevated fire risk.
Those in at risk areas of the north east and East Gippsland should leave while it is still safe to do so. Emergency Services are encouraging communities to prepare and leave.
"Our biggest role in this is helping the community, but we're in for another tough time and although we've been through this before, it is very much a shared responsibility," Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said.
"We need your assistance with this, we don't want anyone in those high risk areas and if you currently are, please leave. We've been really strong around the safety messaging and we will continue to push this."
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