She's on high alert, but hairdresser Tayla van Rossum has been open for business despite a looming bushfire threat.
The 31-year-old owner of Rubi + Rae in Beaufort, northwest of the regional Victorian city of Ballarat, was cutting hair on Wednesday as firefighters came and went across the road.
"It's actually been really busy," she said.
"I've hairdressed all morning and I've got a couple of clients this afternoon.
"I did have a lot cancel but hair is pretty important, apparently."
With school closed, the mother of three has been simultaneously looking after her children aged nine, seven and eight out the back of the store.
"I'm a single mum so obviously if I don't work, I don't get paid," she said.
"They're (the kids) crazy.
"Don't you worry - the doll's hair has been cut."
When she has not had a pair of scissors in her hands, Ms van Rossum has been making free coffees for firies tackling the nearby Bayindeen bushfire.
She has not had her barista hat on quite as much compared to Friday, when she kept about 70 emergency service workers caffeinated.
"I obviously can't go and fight the fire myself," Ms van Rossum said.
"I know one of the locals who has been out there for 36 hours straight, so anything to help out."
Her business is one of few left open in the town on Wednesday afternoon after authorities urged residents in Beaufort, Elmhurst, Amphitheatre, Lexton, Learmonth and Clunes to leave the potential impact zone ahead of forecast worsening conditions.
Ms van Rossum has packed the car and is ready to flee with the kids to her parents' home in Creswick, north of Ballarat, at a moment's notice.
"We had people come around yesterday to say 'leave tonight'," she said.
"That's why no one's open - they all got scared."
The main street was mostly deserted by Wednesday afternoon but for firefighters and traffic, although a woman was seen taking the opportunity to walk a dog.
A Tasmanian traveller headed for the South Australian border was completely unaware they were passing through the outskirts of an active blaze, which has burned 22,000 hectares and destroyed six homes since it was sparked on February 22.
Two water bombers shot into action to douse a spot fire at a property to the northeast of the township just after 5pm, quickly bringing flames under control.
Beaufort local Kevin, who did not want his surname published, was among those who decided to stay to protect his property.
Over a coffee from another shop, he estimated about half a dozen homes in his street had not been vacated.
Kevin said he could not bear to see his place burn down after fire wiped out his family home in the NSW Blue Mountains back in the 1990s.
"I don't want to lose my house again," he said.
