Rain eases fire threat but blazes continue to rage across state
Rain is expected to sweep over almost 30 bushfires still burning across Victoria, after two emergency blazes flared up late on Tuesday.
Cooler conditions have also given firefighters a reprieve overnight as they continue efforts to contain the fires.
Emergency warnings were put in place for an out-of-control blaze at Licola and a number of fires at Dargo which were raging in the Victorian Gippsland region.
Residents near Valencia Creek near Maffra were told about 8pm to leave immediately while people north of Dargo were told it was too late to flee.
The threat of the blazes decreased by about 11.30pm with both incidents downgraded to a watch and act warning.
But those in communities north-west of Dargo - including Black Snake Creek, Cowa, Crooked River, Dargo, Hawkhurst, Shepherdson, Winchester, Wongungarra - have been urged to stay close to buildings they can shelter in and keep monitoring conditions.
Residents from affected communities face an anxious wait with many areas still inaccessible due to the fires.
Lee Wharton, who lives about an hour south of Dargo, said the sky had turned "very yellow" and thunder was rolling through earlier on Tuesday afternoon.
"We don't have much water so if the fire comes here we won't have a chance," she said. "If it gets closer than we like I will leave with our seven-year-old daughter."
Those in Boisdale, Briagolong, Bushy Park, Maffra West Upper, Monomak, Newry and Valencia Creek are still being warned to shelter close to buildings and stay informed.
There are also watch-and-act warnings still in place for the Bunyip State Park fire and the Yinnar South fire.
A bushfire in Cambarville in the Upper Yarra Catchment has also been upgraded to watch and act, and could affect the community of Reefton, where residents need to continue monitoring conditions.
Nine properties, 23 outbuildings lost to Bunyip fire
Impact assessment teams have inspected 293 properties within the fire area around Bunyip and found nine houses and 23 outbuildings destroyed. Another home has been damaged.
"I really feel for that community as a whole, the impact the fire has had on them and in particular those people who have been contacted in relation to the loss of their home or parts of their property,"Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said.
Mr Crisp said there were still more than 30 fires burnings across Victoria, mainly in the east.
About 40,000 hectares have been burnt by bushfires since March 1, taking the total area burnt this summer to more than 100,000 hectares.
"We have hundreds and hundreds of firefighters working on the ground ... today we have 75 aeroplanes and helicopters," he said.
"I want to assure people ... we well and truly are focused on keeping the community safe and without a doubt our people are doing a fantastic job on the ground."
With Liam Mannix