Victoria bushfires: Residents near Murray River told to leave as fires rage before heatwave

Residents near the Murray River have been told to leave their homes as firefighters battle a blaze that has spread through a wilderness park.

The order issued on Monday covers Nariel Valley in northeast Victoria and includes McNamara Crossing, Staceys Bridge and surrounds.

The bushfire, which started about 27 kilometres from Walwa, is not yet under control.

It began in the Mt Lawson State Park earlier in January and spread through to the Wabba Wilderness Park as firefighters curbed its reach.

But with the weather expected to worsen over the coming days, authorities are taking no chances with people told to head north towards Corryong.

Communities in Bullioh, Koetong, Shelley, Lucyvale, Berringama and surrounding area have also been told it is not safe to return.

A severe to extreme heatwave for the state is expected peak on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Country Fire Association chief Jason Heffernan said the Carlisle River fire burning in the Otways, about 200 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, would also not be controlled ahead of the heatwave.

“It’s not contained and will not be contained before tomorrow’s weather comes in,” he told ABC News Breakfast on Monday.

“Conditions will be very challenging. We are very concerned about the Carlisle River fire and communities surrounding that fire.”

Mr Heffernan said that it could be up to eight days before favourable conditions would allow fire crews to get control of the blaze.

Adelaide has a forecast top of 45C on Monday, Melbourne is tipped to hit a high of 43C on Tuesday and Canberra is bracing for 42C on Wednesday.

Several locations in Victoria’s north are facing the prospect of seven consecutive days of maximums above 40C.

“We haven’t seen heatwave conditions like this in Victoria for almost 20 years,” Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said.