A Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning watch and act message issued at 3.30am Friday for Buffalo River, Merriang South, Nug Nug replaced earlier emergency warnings.

The bushfire is not yet under control and the situation can change at any time.

A relief centre was open overnight at the Myrtleford Senior Citizens Centre, Smith Street, Myrtleford and will be reassessed on Friday.

Buffalo River Road is closed near McLees Road at the Buffalo River Fire Station, access to residents with identification.

An updated watch and act message for Dandongadale and Mount Buffalo was issued at 6.50am Friday.

This message said the bushfire was travelling from the southern side of Mt Buffalo.

With the influence of erratic wind direction and typography, the fire could head in an easterly or northerly direction.

The Mount Buffalo Chalet Facebook page posted an overnight message expressing the hope the "Grand Old Lady is being protected and survives".

A watch and act message issued for Brookside, Buckland, Mount Buffalo, Porepunkah at 7.45am Friday replaced a warning from the previous night.

IN OTHER NEWS:

THURSDAY: The fire warnings for Mount Buffalo has been upgraded to a watch and act with the fire "taking a significant run".

Ovens incident controller Michael Master said people in the area of Brookside, Mount Buffalo, Porepunkah, Buckland need to "make a decision".

"The fire took a significant run this afternoon - about 3pm the fire ran quite strongly up the western face of Mount Buffalo until it hit the plateau," he said.

"What that means for us is that we have increased our community messaging to a watch and act and our recommendation is that people take the situation seriously, have an understanding of your capabilities and an understanding of the environment.

"You need to make the choice about whether you stay at home or whether you move away for a little while."

Mr Master said material is already falling in areas such as Wandiligong and Bright but "they are cold".

"It is likely the fire will take material up into the convection column and that will fall," he said.

"We aren't seeing any spot fires in the Ovens Valley at this time but that doesn't mean it wont occur."

The Mount Buffalo Chalet is in the warning area with their official Facebook page posting their concern for the old building.

Mr Master didn't confirm if the chalet was under threat.

He did warn the community to "let the firefighters do their job" and to stay out of their way.

Do not enter the warning area.