The number of homes lost to a large bushfire in western Victoria has risen to three but favourable weather conditions may give firefighters the upper hand.
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The Country Fire Authority on Saturday confirmed the blaze west of Ballarat, which spans more than 15 hectares, has also claimed sheds and other outbuildings.
The CFA said the fire is moving in a northerly direction, south of Elmhurst in state forest. These suburbs are about 70km northwest of Ballarat.
Firefighters have managed to slow the spread of the fire but emergency services warn the conditions can change at any time.
People from surrounding towns were earlier in the week asked to leave their homes immediately. They have been asked not to return until the CFA says it is safe.
These suburbs include Avoca, Bayindeen, Chute, Elmhurst, Mount Lonarch and surrounds, Main Lead, Raglan, Middle Creek, Waterloo, Glenlofty, Glenpatrick, Glenshee, Green Hill Creek, Nowhere Creek, Amphitheatre, Crowlands, Eversley, Landsborough, Percydale and Warrenmang.
A watch and act warning remains in place for the towns as the Bayindeen bushfire remains out of control.
The Bureau of Meteorology's Angus Hynes said Saturday will more benign and settled weather as firefighters battle the blaze.
Temperatures will be cooler than average with the top temperature for Elmhurst being 28C on Saturday.
"No strong winds are forecast with very little wind across the state which is really good news for those fighting the fires," Mr Hynes said.
He said the slightly cooler and more humid conditions will help quell the fire risk.
About 500 firefighters are expected to attend the blaze on Saturday, along with water bombing aircraft.
Assessment teams are surveying damage from the air while it has also become safe for these crews to attend the fire-struck areas to find out the extent of the damage.
Farmers have been particularly affected by the bushfire with cattle and sheep impacted by the blaze.
Road closures are in place to prevent motorists straying into the fireground. These include the Pyrenees Highway, Beaufort-Lexton Rd, Lexton-Ararat Rd and Main Lead Rd.
Conditions are expected to ease to continue easing on Saturday with cool and humid conditions remaining, but midweek the weather will begin to shift again.
Wednesday has been described as a potential "spike" day as the mercury is set to again soar above 40C.
"We'll be working really hard to do as much as we can to contain this fire in time for that spike day on Wednesday," Chief Fire Officer of Forest Fire Management Chris Hardman told the Nine Network.
Six schools were closed or relocated on Friday and 1365 power customers were left without electricity.
Almost 60 hospital patients and residents of aged care homes near the fire have been transferred to other facilities.
Evacuees have been directed towards relief centres at Ararat, Maryborough and Wendouree in Ballarat.
The cause of the blaze is being investigated.
Australian Associated Press
