Triple zero inundated with Vic smoke calls

Operators for emergency number triple zero are being inundated with calls about smoke from Victoria's bushfires.

The smoke has spread over wide areas, including from the Kilmore fire north of Melbourne, which is extending into central Victoria and the metropolitan area.

The fire in the open-cut coalmine near Morwell in the Latrobe Valley is also sending up large amounts of smoke.

Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley says emergency services appreciate that people want to help, but triple-zero operators are being inundated with unnecessary calls about smoke.

"In the coming days, and possibly longer, Victorians will be able to see and smell smoke across much of the state as a result of fires," he said.

"The triple-zero call takers are receiving a lot of calls about smoke from fires that we are already aware of so, unless you see flames or a column of smoke, please do not call that number."

EPA Victoria issued a low-level smoke alert for the west of the Latrobe Valley and the Geelong area on Tuesday morning.