People in the Merton, Ancona and Woodfield areas should monitor emergency messages as a grass and scrub fire burns at Kippings Rd, near Coach Rd, at Strathbogie.

Bimber 358 Helitack, with 2500-litre hopper, has been deployed from Mansfield to fight the fire, above at least 20 CFA tankers and 80 firefighters. More resources are being deployed.

At 4.40pm, the fire was not under control, and heading towards heavy-timbered country.

The fire was contained to three hectares, as at 4.10pm.