He said no injuries had been reported as of yet and animals had been evacuated from the area.

Investigations with Victoria Police will continue into the cause of the fire.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW

UPDATE, 1.30pm: The bushfire at Mount Clear has jumped Whitehorse Road and has begun to burn pine plantations near Frenchmans Lane.

A CFA spokesperson confirmed a shed had caught fire on Whitehorse Road, with gas cylinders inside venting.

Twenty-four firetrucks are currently on the scene, with 14 more en route, including support vehicles.

There are also attack aircraft and bulldozers deployed with the ground crews.

The CFA spokesperson added the wind has not changed direction and there is no current information on whether that will occur this afternoon, and residents to the south-east of the fire are recommended to follow advice on the VicEmergency website - look at the current warnings and make a decision now.

UPDATE, 1.10pm: Reporter Greg Gliddon interviews resident Wayne Calaby

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO BELOW

UPDATE, 12.55pm: A shed is also currently going up in flames on Whitehorse Road.

Brittain and Bridge streets have also been closed off.

Listen to resident Megan Berry talk about the fire that swept through near her house.

LISTEN TO HER SPEAK BELOW - PART ONE

UPDATE, 12.25pm: An emergency warning has been issued for Mount Clear. The bushfire is travelling in a southerly direction towards Whitehorse Road. Whitehorse Road has been closed off.

Leaving now is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous.

WATCH VIDEO OF THE FIRE BELOW

• You should leave using Geelong Road and head towards Ballarat.
  
• The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
  
• When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.
  

• If you are travelling, do not enter the area. U-turn to safety.
  
• Slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
  
• If you are unable to leave you should shelter indoors
  
• Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. Turn off cooling systems.
  
• You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you.
  
• Shelter in a room that has two exits including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
  
• If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.

If you cannot get indoors, other last resort options include:

• Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
  
• Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
  
• Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.

If you are caught in fire in your car:

• Park behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to cleared area.
  
• Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
  
• Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
  
• Close all windows.
  
• Turn off the air-coniditiong and shut all the air vents.
  
• Turn your car engine off.
  
• Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a woollen blanket.

UPDATE, 12.18pm: More than 30 tankers are now on the scene of the fire.

UPDATE, 12.16pm: Watch smoke fill the air from the scrub fire in Mount Clear.

UPDATE, 12pm: A watch and act has been issued.

• If you live directly next to grassland, quickly move two or more streets away from the fire. Grass fires are unlikely to spread past the first row of houses.
  
• If your home is surrounded by grasslands, and you are not in an estate, you should immediately shelter within your home. It is not safe for you to leave.
  
• Staying close to shelter is the safest option, in case conditions change again suddenly. Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.

EARLIER: EMERGENCY crews are on the scene of a grass and scrub fire which has broken out in Mount Clear.

At least 10 tankers are battling the fire which broke out just before 11.30am.

The fire involves heavy fuel and is spreading to the south. The CFA is reporting the fire is likely to jump Whitehorse Road.

Smoke can be seen across Ballarat. At this stage, no advice warning has issued for the blaze.

At this stage it is not known what has caused the blaze, however there are some reports that a campfire getting out of hand could be the reason for the blaze.

The CFA is reporting that Tinworth Avenue is being closed and it is now working to protect assets in the region.

At this stage, Whitehorse Road to the south of of Tinworth Avenue has not been closed, but may be in coming moments.

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