UPDATED Firefighters have stopped the spread of a fire that threatened properties and residents near Ararat in Victoria's west today.
An emergency warning issued for Moyston, Rocky Point and Willaura North was downgraded after firefighters stopped the head of the grassfire that had been burning since about midday on Friday.
The fire broke out north of Moyston about 11.52am and passed to the east of the town about 2pm.
Firefighters succeeded in stopping the head of the fire about 5.45pm.
A watch and act warning is still in place for Moyston, Rocky Point and Willaura North, with residents advised to stay close to shelter in case conditions change suddenly.
Moyston, population about 350 including the surrounding area, is 15 kilometres west of Ararat and about 35 kilometres south-east of Halls Gap.
A woman aged in her 50s was treated for smoke inhalation and heat stroke at a staging area at Moyston Primary School, an Ambulance Victoria spokesman said.
A relief centre has been set up at the Ararat Town Hall.
A watch and act alert was earlier issued for the nearby areas Cathcart, Denicull Creek, Langi Logan and Maroona.
The State Control Centre was unable to confirm Channel Seven reports that a property had been destroyed in the area.
Moyston resident Rosie Nater was moving her farm stock to safety when the fire came within 1.5 kilometres of her property about 2.20pm.
"I'm on the western front, so I'm not sure how far it's gone to the south and east," she said. "We can see the flames and a lot of smoke."
Traffic management points are currently in place at Ararat and Halls Gap Road at Jallukur and at the Rhymney intersection, Moyston Willaura Road at the Andrews Road intersection, Moyston Great Western Road at the Rhymney Road intersection and Moyston Dunkeld Road at Barton Station.
