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FIRE fighters are bracing for 30-degree temperatures and a late wind change as they battle two major fires burning out-of-control in Victoria's north-east.
Four houses were razed on Tuesday, including two at Creightons Creek, near Euroa, one at Lake Rowan, north of Benalla and one at Gooram, about 15 kilometres south of Euroa.
The two residents of the home at Gooram, reported missing early on Wednesday, have since been accounted for.
Two large fires - the Lake Rowan/Warbys fire and the Creightons Creek/Longwood fire - continued to burn out of control on Thursday morning while Watch and Act alerts remained in place for residents in Creightons Creek, Gooram, Longwood East, Old Longwood, Ruffy, Boweya and Boweya North.
More than 140 firefighters will work to hold containment lines around the 5208-hectare Lake Rowan fire, which is burning about 20 kilometres north-west of Wangaratta.
Another 107 firefighters will continue to battle the 4900-hectare Creightons Creek blaze, burning in rough, dry country at the base of the Strathbogie Ranges, about 15 kilometres south-west of Euroa. Crews will concentrate on holding the Creightons Creek fire along Longwood-Gobur Road and Upton Road.
At Lindsay Park racing stables near Euroa, the Creightons Creek blaze forced prominent horse trainer David Hayes and staff off the property and a scramble to move his prized horses.
A neighbour of Lindsay Park said he was nervously watching smoke and fire around his home at 7.30am on Thursday.
"In the hills where we are there's been a ridge fire burning all night," Peter Brown told Fairfax Media.
"Four helicopters drained the dams around here and tried to put it out, but it's still not quite out, so we're just seeing how things go today.
"Everyone is still really weary about what can happen."
Country Fire Authority spokesman Lee Miezis said crews were bracing for deteriorating weather conditions in the morning and holding out hope for a cool change and some rain in the afternoon.
"We'll have quite a warm day at first with temperatures predicted to get up to 30 degrees in the north and the east," he said.
"What is predicted though is a cool south-westerly coming across that fire-affected area sort of mid-afternoon. That will bring with it quite significant gusty winds, which can create some unpredictability in weather.
"But what is following is a chance of showers . . . which if does come through a predicted will certainly make it easier for firefighters to get in and bring these two remaining fires under control quickly."
Firefighters worked through the night to bring a third fire at Stewarton, near Wangaratta, under control. The Watch and Act alert for the area has since been downgraded to an advice message.
Ross Williamson from the Wangaratta incident control centre said firefighters would continue to monitor control lines on Thursday to stop potential flare-ups.
"The weather today is going to be somewhat of a test - it's getting a bit hotter than it has been over the last day or so and the humidity is going down and the wind strength is moving up a little bit and the wind is shifting around," he said.
"It's not a very bad day, but it's a day that could see some fire activity."
Mr Williamson said there was still a lot to be done dampening down hotspots and stabilising large trees before the Midland Highway and other roads in the area could be re-opened.
"There's a lot of work to be done but we don't expect any further problems with that fire breaking out and making a run," he said.
For fire information call 1800 240 667.
