Hundreds of people have heeded the advice of authorities to spend the Code Red Day in Bendigo shopping centres.
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Emergency Management commissioner Andrew Crisp told central Victorian residents on Wednesday to go their closest regional city centre or places like the pool or shopping centre to stay safe.
Kerrie Eveligh travelled from Huntly to the Bendigo Marketplace on Thursday with her three daughters and their assistance dog.
"We've spent nearly the whole morning here and we're going to spend the rest of the day," Ms Eveligh said.
"We chose the Marketplace because it's not surrounded by bush land. It's central and safe. It's good for the kids and it's cool."
Bendigo grandmother Ray Turner also went to the Marketplace with her three granddaughters and husband.
Mrs Turner said her and her husband were helping out the parents who had to work.
"We've been to the pool because we saw the weather forecast," Mrs Turner said. "So we thought, that's a good way to spend the morning and now we're here under cover too.
"We've got a cool car park and lot's of things for the children to do. We can do the shopping at the same time."
Heathcote resident Eileen Ford went to the Marketplace with her two daughters. Their schools were still open for the day but she felt safer in Bendigo.
"There were no buses going to Seymour because of the code red and it was safer for my daughter to stay at home anyway," Ms Ford said.
"My other daughter goes to school in at Tooberac, which isn't closed, but I just wanted to leave Heathcote."
Bendigo Marketplace centre management marketing manager Dannielle Downs said the crowds were larger than usual.
"We can't count foot traffic at the moment but just on visuals, there are lots more people around," she said.
"Any day when the temperature is higher, we put the cooling on earlier in the day so the climate is more comfortable for customers."
Watch and acts
The Country Fire Authority has issued advice messages for a number of fires in the region.
Without power
More than 17,000 properties are without power across the region, and emergency services are busy attending downed trees and fires. Click here for Code Red Day rolling coverage
Crews on alert
Ten thousand firefighters are on alert across Victoria's north-west, with strike teams on a "hair trigger" to respond to any blazes that break out.
Grass fires will "run hard" today Epsom incident controller Mark Gilmore said.
"And forest fires will be a struggle to stop. That's significant," he said. READ MORE HERE.
Neighbourhood Safer Places
Below is a list of Neighbourhood Safer Places, also known as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort - a place of last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed. For more information, click here.
Greater Bendigo
Axedale: Axedale Primary School. Oval Bounded by McIvor Highway (High Street), Shadforth Street, Mitchell Street and Raglan Street Axedale 3551. Parking available in Raglan Street
Bendigo: Queen Elizabeth Oval, corner View Street and Barnard Street Bendigo 3550. Entry off View Street
Eaglehawk: Canterbury Park Sports Precinct, car parks and event space 16 Simpsons Road (opposite Trumble Street) Eaglehawk 3556.
Heathcote: Holy Rosary Primary School. Oval Bounded by Ebden Street, Pohlman Street and Playne Street Heathcote 3523. Entry off Ebden Street or Pohlman Street
Junortoun: Lords Raceway. McIvor Highway (entry opposite Atlas Road) Junortoun 3551.
Kangaroo Flat: Centro Lansell (Lansell Plaza). Car park Calder Highway (High Street) opposite Symes Street Kangaroo Flat 3555.
Dower Park. Cnr Station Street & Olympic Parade (entry off Station Street) Kangaroo Flat 3555.
Maiden Gully: Maiden Gully Primary School. Basketball courts and surrounds Corner Carolyn Way and Glenelg Drive Maiden Gully 3551. Best access from Glenelg Drive
North Bendigo: Showgrounds. Bendigo-Eaglehawk Road (Holmes Road) opposite Havilah Road North Bendigo 3550.
Redesdale: Redesdale Recreation Reserve (Agnes Mudford Reserve). Oval Corner Kyneton-Redesdale Road (Heathcote-Kyneton Road) and Sutton Grange-Redesdale Road (Bendigo-Redesdale Road) Redesdale 3444.
Strathfieldsaye: Primary School. 9 Uxbridge Street (opposite Apsley Street) Strathfieldsaye 3551.
Central Goldfields Shire
Carisbrook: Carisbrook Market Reserve. Bounded by Green Street, Urquhart Street, Powlett Street and Birch Street Carisbrook 3464.
Dunolly: Dunolly Gordon Gardens. Bounded by Barkly Street, Thompson Street and Market Street Dunolly 3472.
Maryborough: Jack Pascoe Reserve. Oval Bounded by Gillies Street, Majorca Road and Cadle Street Maryborough 3465. Entry off Gillies Street or Cadle Street
Maryborough Princes Park. Oval 40 Park Road (between Nightingale Street and Wills Street) Maryborough 3465.
Talbot: Pioneer Reserve. Corner Fyfe Street and Scandinavian Crescent Talbot 3371.
Buloke Shire
Charlton: Charlton Shire Hall, 9-11 Armstrong Street (Charlton-St Arnaud Road) opposite Camp Street Charlton 3525.
Donald: Donald Showgrounds, Hammill Street (Borung Highway) opposite Mill Street Donald 3480.
Campaspe Shire
Echuca: Echuca South Recreation Reserve. Oval High Street (opposite Minor Street) Echuca 3564.
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