Victoria faced the worst fire danger for many years as parts of the state's west faced catastrophic conditions. The latest on the fire grounds:
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DEREEL FIRE
* Grassfire started at Kleins Road about 6pm Wednesday before spreading to bush
* Under control
* Cause of fire is being treated as suspicious after no dry lighting or tractors and machinery working nearby
* About 14 planes and more than 60 tankers sent to fight the fire
* Burned 110ha
* 117 homes saved from fire
* One building destroyed
BAYINDEEN FIRE
* Contained after burning for a week in Rocky Road
* Four outbreaks on Wednesday
* Burned 22,000ha, with a 165km fire front
* Safe for people to return to homes and businesses
* Some localised fire activity and smoke remain
* Warnings of road hazards such as fallen trees and road closures
* Warnings to check homes and buildings for damage before re-entering
* Relief centres in Ararat, Maryborough and Selkirks Stadium in Ballarat remain open
CONDITIONS FACED ON WEDNESDAY
* Temperatures reached 40C in northwest of the state
* High 30Cs to 40Cs across the west of Victoria
* Catastrophic conditions forecasted for Wimmera region
* Extreme fire conditions for parts of Victoria's west
* 119 crew members, five strike teams and 25 tankers from NSW helped battle the blazes
* 30,000 people near the Bayindeen fire were warned to consider leaving the area ahead of the fire conditions
Australian Associated Press
