Bushfire rages towards Walhalla, residents told 'too late to leave'

Much-needed rain has reportedly given Walhalla a reprieve from a rampaging bushfire, but the eastern Victorian town isn't out of the woods yet.  

Looking towards the Walhalla fire from Lake Glenmaggie on Sunday evening. Picture: Scott Hinton/Twitter

Much-needed rain has reportedly given Walhalla a reprieve from a rampaging bushfire, but the eastern Victorian town isn't out of the woods yet, with an emergency warning remaining in place.

Fire crews faced a nervous wait as the blaze, which had burnt at least 3725ha as of Sunday evening, headed towards Walhalla on Sunday night.

Baw Baw councillor Michael Leaney said things were "looking pretty gnarly" until "quite a bit of rain" fell - "a very positive outcome".

But a State Control Centre spokesperson said they were not confident in saying the town had been missed as visibility was low on the ground.

As of 10.30pm an emergency warning for Walhalla, Maiden Town and Western remained in place.

"The fire is still an active fire and authorities will work to conduct an impact assessment overnight," the spokesperson said.

"Although the rain would not be significant, it was of assistance. Earlier multi-directional winds have also died down, with a coastal breeze from the south-east remaining."

Fires that threatened homes and lives near Hepburn, which has threatened homes for most of the day, Grantville and north of Timbarra have been downgraded  to Watch and Act warnings but remain out-of-control.

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The following emergency warnings are currently in effect:

WALHALLA (issued for Maiden Town, Walhalla and Western)

There is a bushfire at Walhalla that is not yet under control.

The bushfire is travelling in a westerly direction towards Walhalla.

This fire has the potential to threaten homes and lives.

Weather conditions have changed and spotting is occurring in and around Walhalla.

You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.

The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.

FOR UP-TO-DATE EMERGENCY INFORMATION GO TO EMERGENCY.VIC.GOV.AU