Bushfires raged out of control in Victoria’s west on Saturday, prompting evacuation orders for hundreds of residents.

The affected area included towns near Grampians National Park, around 241km from Melbourne, such as Halls Gap with a population of 495.

Emergency services urged people to leave immediately, warning that conditions could quickly worsen.

A fire sparked by lightning on Tuesday had already burned through over 28,000 hectares, officials reported.

Around 400 firefighters, supported by over 100 tankers and 25 aircraft, were working to contain the blaze.

Authorities have cautioned about a high-risk bushfire season this summer, following quieter years since the devastating “Black Summer” fires of 2019-2020.