PEOPLE in Beechworth and Yackandandah regions in North East Victoria are on urgent bushfire alert as flames bear down on them from the east. 

The Country Fire Authority says the fire's crossed the Yackandandah-Dederang Road about 20km southeast of Beechworth and has also jumped the Kiewa River between the towns of Running Creek and Coral Bank another 20km south.

It's now moving north-west towards the Yackandandah and Beechworth regions.

Towns on urgent alert include Stanley, Bruarong, Dederang, Gundowring, Gundowring Upper, Kancoona, Kancoona South, Coral Bank, Glen Creek and Running Creek.

Eskdale is also on alert.

AAP