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Threats from bushfires engulfing Victoria's north and east eased today, but exhausted firefighters have little chance for rest as they prepare for a second onslaught later in the week.
Fires which raged as a cool change swept across the state very early today abated as winds dropped off, but the fires are expected to burn for months.
No private property has been lost.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) spokesman Kevin Monk said the DSE and Country Fire Authority (CFA) now had two days to construct and strengthen control lines around houses and properties before conditions heated up again.
Rising temperatures and strengthening winds have been forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.
"We're just over one hump, that's the first one but it's only December 11 and our worst fire conditions are usually in January and February so, if this burns the same way as the 2003 alpine fires which went for two months, we've got a big challenge ahead of us," Mr Monk said.
The fire has burned through 250,000 hectares and was now 12-20km south of the Thomson Catchment which supplies 60 per cent of Melbourne's water.
Bulldozers are in the area extending control lines and backburning.
CFA deputy chief officer Geoff Evans described the moderation in weather as a lull before the storm.
"These fires are going to push south again and could again impact on communities around Glenmaggie and across to the Bairnsdale area," Mr Evans told ABC Radio.
The impact on most towns has decreased but he said the situation was temporary.
"This fire will go on for months ... we have to keep up communication with the community about how the fire is going to progress and where it is."
Communities north and east of the fires have been asked to remain vigilant, with residents at Gaffneys Creek, Jamieson and around Bairnsdale on high alert.
smoke levels
Victoria's environment watchdog has recorded one of its highest levels of smoke over Melbourne, higher than the levels caused by the 2003 bushfires that burned out much of the northeast.
Melbourne yesterday had its hottest December day for 53 years, hitting 42.1C.
The smoke has prompted the Department of Human Service's chief health officer, Robert Hall, to urge Victorians with respiratory problems to stay inside.
"It is likely that everyone within the community will be affected and they should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion and stay indoors whenever possible," Dr Hall said.
Qantas reported flight delays in Melbourne and a flight from Los Angeles was diverted to Sydney on Saturday.
Heavy smoke across much of the eastern part of the state reduced visibility and triggered fire alarms in the airport's baggage handling area and control tower.
A shift from the hot northerly winds to cooler southerly breezes was forecast overnight. But at Dargo in Gippsland a wind change could spell disaster.
"They say if the wind blows from the north, it will bypass Dargo, but if it blows from the south, it will blow on us," Geoff Philpots said.
Mr Philpots was busy trying to protect his son's house, 3km south of Dargo, from the fires while his son was fighting the fire with fellow Department of Sustainability and Environment officers.
Germantown resident Narelle Benstead said her neighbours, in Old Harrietville Rd, were working to save their homes.
"We're getting prepared to defend our home and watching the fire over the hill," Mrs Benstead said.
"We've got our buckets and our hoses and we're all organised to stay and defend. Fortunately, the wind is blowing in the opposite direction."
A Waterford resident said seven or eight people in the area were preparing to face the fires.
"All I know is that for the next two hours we will be under ember attack - we've had burnt leaves dropping on us for the last hour.
"We're just waiting. I'm scared."
Fire authorities have warned other residents near Dargo to prepare for ember attack.
Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday that Victorian Premier Steve Bracks need only to ask for more federal help to battle the flames.
"When it comes to disasters of this kind, we all work together and do it very well," Mr Howard said.
Mr Bracks said although the state's bushfire preparedness was greater than ever before, the conditions were some of the worst seen in Victoria.
"While the critical days were yesterday and today and into Monday, we expect the next two weeks are going to be really like standing on our toes waiting and hoping the communities are protected as the fires rage and move through."
Country Fire Authority chief fire officer Russell Rees said his resources were holding up well.
The authority confirmed that a home near Stonyford, southeast of Camperdown, was lost to the fires.
A resident near Licola said fire was a part of living in the bush and residents were calm and well-prepared.
"We don't give a rat's. It's not if it's coming, it's when it's coming," said the resident.
- AAP
