Victoria is bracing for El Niño change in temperatures as fires ramp up across the Gippsland area over the long weekend.

Three emergency fire watch and act warnings are in place for areas near Briagolong, Loch Sport, Merrijig, Iguana Creek, Stockdale, and Cobbannah.

The Briagolong bush fire at Duffy Road is one of the largest amongst the three, having already burnt through an estimated 5,500 hectares. It is not yet under control.

There are reports that one home has been lost in the Briagolong fire.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) have urged people in Loch Sport to leave their properties after a reported grassfire south-west of Loch Sport broke out. It is not yet under control and is travelling towards the east.

Local resident, Carolyn Searle from the Loch Sport general store told ABC that the emergency alerts from Vic Emergency notified Gippsland residents of the fire.

“From my shop, I’m looking out my front window and I can see the smoke from the fire. The wind is absolutely terrible,” she said.

On Sunday, a fire south-west of Walhalla cut off the road to access the town leaving residents stuck until firefighters arrived.

CFA Chief Fire Officer, Jason Heffernan told ABC that over 350 firefighters are working hard to get the fires under control with aircraft and heavy machinery aiding to stop the flames.

Photo: bushfire by bertknot available HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This image has not been modified.