UPDATE: AN emergency CFA warning for the Grampians area has been downgraded to a watch and act notice.

The community of Glenisla in the Grampians Victoria Valley complex was on high alert last night and expecting the fast moving blaze to hit at any time.

A wind change early this morning though helped firefighters get the upper hand on the now 31,500ha blaze.

"Overnight a southeasterly wind changed to a northeasterly about 1am and that has assisted firefighters with the firefighting efforts," a state control centre spokesman said.

"The focus today will be on the southwest end of the fire."

It is hoped containment lines will be in place around the blaze by the end of today.

The fire has crossed the Henty Highway and is now closed between Mooralla and Cherrypool.

The Horsham relief centre is also closed.