The fire, which is burning in an unused part of the open cut mine, has sent smoke and ash across the nearby town of Morwell and caused firefighters to be hospitalised for carbon monoxide inhalation.

Australian Greens senator Richard Di Natale, a former GP and public health specialist - who gave evidence at a senate inquiry into the health impacts of air quality focusing on particulate matter produced by coal mining and combustion - said there was no safe level of exposure to particulate matter from coal combustion.

“Morwell residents are being exposed to worrying levels of smoke containing particulate matter, carbon monoxide and other harmful substances,” he said.

“These can have serious acute health impacts, such as exacerbating asthma and increasing the risk of heart attack, while long-term exposure can increase the risk of conditions such as lung cancer.

“I am concerned that the Morwell community is not getting a frank assessment of the health risks they are facing.”

Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber said a state of emergency should be declared under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act.

“The first responsibility of a government is to protect its people and that is not happening in Morwell,” he said.

“The Napthine government must cut through the bureaucratic in-fighting and take action to protect people. Lives are at risk.”