Almost a year after the Black Saturday bushfires devastated Victoria, two teenage boys have been charged with lighting the Bendigo blaze.

A cool southwesterly change is moving across Victoria, reducing the catastrophic fire risk that has forced people from homes and campsites.

Australia is cooling down after another day of deadly heat with temperatures in three states soaring into the 40s, including record highs in Melbourne.

A long spell of dry weather is likely to lead to more fire bans being put in place.

Victoria has declared a Code Red fire warning in the Wimmera region today, ahead of an expected scorcher.