She said the fire didn't cross the Campaspe River, as earlier reported by the CFA, and crews are blacking out.

She said parts of the Northern Highway had been blocked and traffic had backed up.

She advised drivers to avoid the Northern Highway.

The CFA website reports the advice message has been downgraded.

his is a DOWNGRADED Advice message issued by Country Fire Authority for Echuca, Echuca Village, Echuca West.

Firefighters are attending to multiple grassfires south of ECHUCA between the intersection of the Echuca - Mitiamo Road and Northern Highway, and east towards the Campaspe River.

The message is as follows:

The grassfire is under control.

You are no longer under any threat, please stay informed as the situation may change.

The Northern Highway is closed and we ask the public to avoid the area.

Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads.

The next update is expected by 19/12/14 7:00 PM or as the situation changes.

Safety Information:

If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.

Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.

Contact a family member or friend to tell them what you plan to do now.

If you are experiencing smoke exposure, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.

Stay Informed:

Via www.emergency.vic.gov.au

Tune to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.

Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667.

Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.

For help with English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to telephone VBIL. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.

Download the FireReady App or follow CFA_Updates on Twitter (#VicFires) or Facebook.

Road closures: check VicRoads website.

UPDATE 1pm: A CFA spokeswoman said the fire near Echuca had crossed the Campaspe River.

She said it was heading in an easterly direction.

She said 17 trucks were attending the fire, with aircraft on the way.

She said vehicles from the NSW Rural Fire Service might attend the fire as well.

She said houses and assets were not under threat, but crops were.

She said police had been called to monitor traffic on the Northern Highway, but as of yet the highway was not blocked off.

She said The Watch and Act Message remains in place.

The CFA Twitter account advises people in Echuca to leave their properties.

UPDATE 12.40pm: The CFA is now attending three fires on the Northern Highway.

Four units are attending the fire in Ballendella, 10 units are attending a fire in Echuca and four units are attending a fire 3.5-kilometres Southwest of Echucha.

UPDATE 12.35pm: The CFA has issued a Watch and Act message for Echuca, Echuca Village and Echuca West.

The message is as follows:

This is a Watch and Act message issued by Country Fire Authority for Echuca, Echuca Village, Echuca West.

CFA are attending to multiple grassfires on the Northern Highway south west of Echuca. The fire is travelling towards the Campaspe River in a easterly direction.

This grassfire is currently not yet under control. Properties may be under threat. 

There will be considerable traffic on the Northern Highway so please avoid the area.

The fire could impact at any time.

Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.

Travel to;

- The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.

When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.

The next update is expected by 19/12/14 5:00 PM or as the situation changes.

Safety Information:

Remember to take your prescriptions and medication, photo ID, bottles of water, your mobile phone and charger and consider what you will do with your pets.

If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.

Contact a family member or friend to tell them what you plan to do.

Stay Informed:

Via www.emergency.vic.gov.au

Tune to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations or Sky News TV.

Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667.

Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.

For help with English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to telephone VBIL. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.

Download the FireReady App and follow CFA_Updates on Twitter (#VicFires) or Facebook.

Road Closures: check VicRoads website.

12.20pm: TWO small grass fires have broken out on the Northern Highway.

One is in Ballendella, near Rochester, and has two CFA units attending it.

The second is just outside Echuca and has six units attending.

Both were reported about 12pm.

More to come.