VICTORIA'S CHRISTMAS DAY BUSHFIRES
* Fires on the Great Ocean Road flared up on Christmas Day
* Wye River lost 98 homes
* Firefighters say it could have been 300
* Separation Creek lost 18 homes
* There are 334 homes in those areas - 80 primary residences, the rest holiday homes
* Lorne, Kennett River and Grey River also evacuated before the weather cooled
* About 2200 hectares burnt through
* Fire triggered by lightning, in an area of tough terrain that hadn't been burnt in decades
- Residents were sent to Apollo Bay Leisure Centre, Torquay Relief Centre, or Geelong
* Wye River fire plan in place since 1984 helped save the town
* Three minor injuries to firefighters, no loss of life
* Affected people offered relief grants up to $1300 per household, grants up to $32,000 for primary residences
* Local businesses usually take one third of yearly income in a month over the holidays
* There were also significant Wye River fires in 1939 and 1962, when fire moved into the town.
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