Firefighters hope to reopen the Great Ocean Road to the public after the New Year, but residents will be allowed back by Thursday.
Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley says the road will stay closed in case bushfire flares up again.
"This fire that is in the Otways still has the potential to run," Mr Lapsley told reporters on Tuesday.
"So in Kennett River, the very southern part of the fire, that's one of the key issues with northerly winds."
Mr Lapsley said with 37 degrees predicted for New Year's Eve and 36 on New Year's Day, it was too dangerous to reopen the Great Ocean Road.
"Hence the road blocks will stay in place," he said.
Mr Lapsley said the power is back on to most Wye River and Separation Creek properties.
"Our aim is to get the locals back in over the next 24 to 48 hours," he said.
"Kennett River will remain off limits until after this run of hot weather."
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