An east Gippsland town is on alert and campers have been evacuated as bushfires burn in Victoria's east.
Burning embers have fallen on Buchan, north of Lakes Entrance, as a bushfire burns three kilometres from the town.
![Campers and holidaymakers have been warned to avoid areas of Gippsland as firefighters battle several blazes.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170926155442im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/q/n/l/w/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gynt5d.png/1506262755872.jpg)
Country Fire Authority Gippsland regional controller Trevor Owen said on Sunday evening there was a "real risk" to Buchan from two fires burning in surrounding bushland.
The town's 400 residents were currently safe, but they had been advised to enact their bushfire survival plans, Mr Owen said.
Authorities said about 45 campers had been moved on from the popular Buchan Caves as authorities closed the reserve due to the fires, which could take weeks to get fully under control.
Mr Owen said six aircraft, 20 tankers and several bulldozers had been deployed to fight four fires in the Gippsland region, with another serious blaze burning further south near Marlo.
The Timbarra fire near Buchan had burnt more than 6500 hectares had a 50-kilometre perimeter, he said.
"It's very difficult to access, it's in very remote terrain," he said.
"We're using aircraft to try and suppress it and dozers to gain access.
"But there's a good chance given the conditions, it could run for a good part of this week and it could be at least two weeks before we get it to the point where we're confident enough to say we've suppressed the fire."
WATCH & ACT issued for Marlo area. Bushfire at MARLO-CABBAGE TREE RD not yet under control https://t.co/WTtAb0gle3 #Vicfires pic.twitter.com/A5LNdc0GBd
— CFA Updates (@CFA_Updates) September 24, 2017
Mr Owen said it was believed at least three of the four fires were caused by property owners burning off in preparation for the fire season.
While there is not currently a fire ban in place, there is a severe weather warning for high winds across much of the state, including Gippsland.
Mr Owen said the strong winds had spread the fire into surrounding bushland, fuelling flames as high as 15 metres and causing the fires to behave erratically.
He said Cape Conran Coastal Park was also closed to visitors and urged holidaymakers to stay away from parks near active fires.
He also called on property owners not to light fires on days of high winds.