THE bushfire at The Gurdies is not yet under control with the fire travelling in an easterly direction towards Gurdies-St Helier Road and Stewart Road.

The fire is threatening homes and lives, it is too late to leave the area safely so you must take shelter now.

The bushfire could impact Gurdies-St. Helier Road between Woodland Close and Stewart Road and Stewart Road from Gurdies-St. Helier Road to Dunbabbin Road and Bergmeier Road any time between 3pm and 5pm.

Moments before the update Eliza and Brett Fowler (of Woodland Close) were anxiously surveying the scene as two large plumes of smoke were rising from the bushes at what looked to be only a couple of hundred metres away. Residents received the call from police yesterday advising them to be ready to evacuate but by 3pm today the call had not come.

Trucks from as far away as Springvale, Officer, Bunyip, Somers, Somerville, Toomuc and a number of local brigades including Corinella and Wonthaggi are attending the bushfire.

In the past half an hour, further fire resources have arrived from  Koo Wee Rup, Tooradin, Bayles, San Remo, the Bass Coast group, and several others.

Meanwhile, the Bass Highway southbound has been reduced to one lane, to make way for emergency vehicles, it's slow going at times.

The CFA firefighter helicopter has been seen working constantly across the fire ground after taking a mid-morning break.

Locals remain very concerned about the proximity of the fire and many are out the front of their homes keeping an eye on the bushfire.

A refugee has been established at the Grantville Transaction Centre.