Watch and Act issued as bushfire burns in Victoria's Central Gippsland - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

A Watch and Act bushfire warning to prepare to leave was issued to Central Gippsland communities. (Supplied: Candice Dockett)

The CFA has told residents of Golden Beach, Paradise Beach, Seacombe and Dutson Downs in Victoria's Gippsland region to monitor conditions after an out-of-control bushfire broke out on Sunday afternoon.

The fire is burning at the south end of Longford-Loch Sport Road, in a south-easterly direction towards Paradise Beach.

CFA crews are continuing to fight the blaze.

Central Gippsland communities have been told to monitor conditions as firefighters battle an out-of-control bushfire at Seacombe, about 42 kilometres east of Sale.

The CFA issued a Watch and Act warning on Sunday afternoon, "strongly" recommending residents in Golden Beach, Paradise Beach and Seacombe prepare to leave after a fire broke out on the Longford-Loch Sport Road.

It later added Dutson Downs to the Watch and Act warning.

In its 8:30pm update, the CFA said the threat had reduced, but residents should "monitor conditions and be ready to act" because "the situation can change at any time".

People were also advised not to travel to the area, and that it was "not safe to return".

Residents of Loch Sport were warned not to travel south along Longford-Loch Sport Road, while those west of the fire were told not to travel on that road toward Loch Sport, and instead to travel toward Yarram or Sale.

A CFA firefighter near an out-of-control bushfire at Seacombe. (Supplied: Candice Dockett)

A CFA spokesperson said crews responded to reports of smoke about 1:20pm on the Longford-Loch Sport Road in Seacombe.

The fire, located south-west of the coastal town of Loch Sport, is burning in a south-easterly direction towards Paradise Beach.

By 8:30pm Sunday, 28 CFA vehicles were on scene fighting the blaze, while air attack support had also been requested.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Firefighters were called out to a blaze on the Longford-Loch Sport Road on Sunday afternoon. (Supplied: CFA)

On Sunday afternoon, authorities said they had closed the Longford-Loch Sport Road at the Seacombe turn-off so that people could not enter the area, but said they were still free to leave.

They encouraged people to monitor the situation, including increases to wind speed or a change in wind direction, and to note that smoke or poor visibility can mean the situation is worsening.

A column of smoke rises on the horizon after the fire broke out. (Supplied: Gerard Walsh)

Earlier, a CFA spokesperson advised people in the affected communities to leave as soon as they were ready, "as roads will become busy".

"Those affected can travel to Yarram or Sale, or friends or family away from the fire," they said.

People are still being encouraged to leave the area if the situation changes or they feel unsafe.

As of 9:30pm, CFA crews were continuing to fight the blaze, and residents were advised to monitor warnings via the Vic Emergency site.