The Department of Environment and Primary Industries has issued an emergency warning for residents in Narrawong, east of Portland.

The fire is travelling in a southerly direction from Golf Course Road in the state forest towards the Mount Clay fire tower.

Residents in the area around Blackers Road, Devkins Road, Beavis Road, Brabender Lane, Kerrabrae Road and Angelino Road have been warned they could be impacted anytime within the next one and a half hours.

Emergency services have advised people that leaving now is the safest option.

More than 13 vehicles are tackling the blaze which has burnt through 600 hectares.

The temperature in Portland is now sitting at 24 degrees after reaching a high of 34 today, but is expected to drop to 18 degrees by tomorrow.

5.15PM UPDATE: An Emergency Warning and a Watch and Act message remain in place for Narrawong as a bushfire burns out of control in the Mount Clay State Forest. 

A Department of Environment and Primary Industries spokeswoman said the Emergency Warning was specific to an area near Blackers Road, while the Watch and Act warning was for the wider area. 

The spokeswoman said the 70 hectare fire was moving in a southerly direction and was spotting about 100 meters ahead of the main front. 

She said four aircraft were supporting 22 firefighters working on the ground. 

She said a planned burn was completed in the area over the weekend and it is possible it could have reignited in today's warm conditions.  

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4.45PM UPDATE: The Watch and Act warning for Narrawong has now been upgraded to an Emergency Warning. 

The warning says homes in the vicinity of Blackers Road could be impacted in the next two hours. 

It says leaving now is the safest option before conditions become to dangerous and those away from home should not return. 

Residents deciding to leave are asked to travel to Portland or to friends and relatives away from the warning area.

Golf Course Road, Meaghers Road, Woolwash Road, Tower Road and  Boyers Road, north of Goodes Road, are all closed. 

For more information visit  www.cfa.vic.gov.au, tune to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations or Sky News TV.

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UPDATE: The Department of Environment and Primary Industries has upgraded an advice message for Narrawong to a Watch and Act warning. 

The warning says  fire could impact residences on the northern side of Narrawong any time between 7:00pm and 9:00pm tonight. 

Residents in the area are advised the safest option is to leave now.

The warning says a 10 hectare bushfire is traveling quickly in a southerly direction towards Tower Road from Golf Course Road. 

Golf Course Road, Meaghers Road, Woolwash Road, Tower Road and  Boyers Road, north of Goodes Road, are all closed. 

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EARLIER: FIREFIGHTERS are battling an out of control bushfire in the Mount Clay area. 

An advice message has been issued for Narrawong advising residents to stay informed and review their bushfire plans. 

The message says there is no threat to communities at this stage. 

The fire is believed to have originated near Golf Course Road in Heywood. 

Department of Environment and Primary Industries were carrying out planned burns in the Mount Clay area today.

It's not clear if the fire and planned burns are linked.