HOMES RAZED, LOCALS FLEE

MORE than 50 bush and grass fires have ravaged Victoria’s southwest, destroying about a dozen homes, killing livestock and forcing hundreds to evacuate.

While many of the fires were still burning last night, authorities downgraded the fire warning from the highest level to “watch and act” and about 20 advice warnings were in place at 7pm.

Hundreds of beef and dairy cattle, as well as farm buildings, were destroyed, and 40,000 hectares of land burnt.

Deputy Premier James Merlino said the weekend, as predicted, had been “difficult with hot and windy conditions”.

“We are late into our summer fire season but this is the biggest event of the season,” he said yesterday.

Bureau of Meteorology acting state manager Peter Otto said even though a cool change had moved across the state a severe fire danger was still expected.

“These conditions will ease tonight, so the end is in sight ... but do watch out for the thunderstorms and be prepared for the risk of fires still being difficult to contain,” he said.

Elle Moyle, who owns a property in Gazette, said she had been hosting a friend’s wedding on her land on Satur- day when the flames moved towards the 150-guests before they raced to a brick stable.

“We got everyone in securely inside. No one could believe it. We were able to get out within an hour,” she said.

But Ms Moyle said her brother’s home was burned down while her neighbour lost two-thirds of his property in the blaze.

Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said not all of the homes destroyed were occupied, and there had been no deaths or major injuries reported.

However, 800 people had been forced to seek shelter at relief centres.

“I think the community has responded exceptionally well,” Mr Lapsley said.

“(There have been) no significant injuries, no death, a very dynamic environment, I would say they have done exceptionally well.”

The State Government will provide immediate personal hardship payments, worth about $1900 per household, to use for food, clothing and shelter with assessment for further support.

Firefighters and the communities faced a number of challenges because the fires started at night.

“The challenge is you can’t get fire trucks into some areas in the darkness; we are unable to fly aircraft, and that means our suppression activity is suppressed somewhat,” Mr Lapsley told the briefing.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his thoughts and prayers were with those impacted by the fires and emergency services on the ground.

Police and fire investigators are looking into the causes of the fire, but authorities say it’s likely they are the result of lightning strikes.

The major grass and bushfires began on Saturday, raged through the night and continue to burn yesterday.

Warnings have been issued for towns, stretching from Hamilton to Port Campbell, an area of more than 160km.

Last night, there were four major fires burning, the worst being a huge blaze at Terang, which was threatening the town of Cobden.