Extra firefighters are being rushed down Victoria's Great Ocean Road to tackle two bushfires ahead of another heatwave and a mass influx of summer tourists for Christmas.
Last weekend's 40 degree temperatures sparked fires across the state that destroyed at least 15 rural homes and agricultural land, and damaged more, including a massive 7700ha blaze at Barnawartha near Wodonga and 4600ha bushfire at Scotsburn near Ballarat.
Sunday's cool change brought relief but hot 30 degree-plus days will return from Wednesday.
Two fires covering 150ha caused by lightning on Saturday are burning out of control in the Great Otway National Park near the popular tourist town Lorne and Wye River, southwest of Melbourne.
The Otways area between Lorne and Apollo Bay is dotted with small townships and holiday houses, and surrounded by tinder-dry bushland.
"It is difficult country and probably one of the driest areas in the state, we are very concerned about that and while there are a lot of firefighters there we are moving more in today," State Control Centre spokesman Andrew Graystone said.
"This is a high priority for us to control them as soon as possible given that we've got the Christmas period coming up and the Otways coast is a pretty popular area for tourism.
"We are not telling people to stay away ... but people need to make sure they stay tuned to local radio, things like that and stay informed about the fire conditions."
The state's biggest fire, near Barnawartha south of Albury including the Mt Pilot and Baranduda national parks, has burned at least three properties, was still out of control and creating plenty of smoke for residents.
A watch and act medium level warning was still in place for residents in affected towns.
Firefighters were trying to consolidate control lines before the hot weather returned, Mr Graystone said.
The fire at Scotsburn has destroyed at least 12 houses, is currently contained but still burning and creating large levels of smoke.
Police knocked on the doors of more than 300 arsonists over the last few days, believing a number of fires over the weekend were deliberately lit.
Emergency grants are starting to flow to those who lost their homes.
More than $32,000 is available for each affected household for accommodation and food.
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