Fire crews are still battling an out-of-control blaze between Mount Cole and Raglan.
A wind change has caused the fire to move in a north easterly direction towards Avoca.
An emergency warning has been issued for residents of Bayindeen, Beaufort, Ben Nevis, Brewster, Buangor, Buangor East, Chute, Ercildoune, Eurambeen, Eversley, Glenbrae, Glenlogie, Langi Kal Kal, Lexton, Main Lead, Middle Creek, Mount Cole, Mount Cole Creek, Mount Lonarch, Raglan, Trawalla, Warrak, Waterloo, Amphitheatre, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlofty, Glenlogie, Glenpatrick, Glenshee, Green Hill Creek, Landsborough, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch, Nowhere Creek, Percydale and Warrenmang, who have been advised to leave immediately.
After the road was closed in both directions overnight, the Western Highway has been re-opened in both directions between Ballarat and Horsham.
A reduced speed limit is still in place near Dadswell Bridge, due to fire recovery work.
V/Line trains remain suspended between Ararat and Wendouree, with replacement coach services between Ballarat and Ararat resuming.
Community relief centres have opened at the CE Brown Reserve in Wendouree, the Alexander Oval in Ararat and Princes Park Reserve in Maryborough.
Speaking to the ABC, Chief Officer with the CFA, Jason Heffernan, says they do expect to see house losses, shed and stock loss in the fire areas.
“More firefighters are making their way to the firegrounds from metropolitan Melbourne and much further afield,” he said.
“They’ll be supported by water bombing aircraft, including the large air tankers, so we’re really throwing everything we can at it to try and contain that fire.”
