Thousands of responders battle 10 major fires as homes destroyed, livestock killed

A trio of emergency-level bushfires remain burning, including the catastrophic Longwood fire in central Victoria, the fire in Walwa in the state's north-east and a fire in the Carlisle River in the Otways.

Thousands of firefighters are battling 10 major blazes across Victoria, including three out-of-control bushfires, after overnight winds worsened conditions across the state.

A trio of emergency-level bushfires are still burning: the catastrophic Longwood fire in central Victoria, the fire in Walwa in the state's north-east and a fire in the Carlisle River in the Otways.

Around 350,000 hectares of land have been burnt so far and 300 structures have been destroyed, including dozens of homes.

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Evacuated residents from multiple towns gave fled to emergency centres as the flames licked their doorsteps and destroyed homes in Harcourt and Natimuk.

Residents in multiple towns - Tallangatta Valley, Bullioh, Koetong, Shelley, Berringama, Lucyvale, Nariel Valley, Cudgewa, Corryong, Towong, Thowgla Valley, Biggara and surrounds - were told overnight it is "too late to leave" and to "take shelter now".

The "leave immediately" warning was extended to Chapple Vale, Charleys Creek, Kincaid, Pile Siding, Weeaproinah, Barongarook West, Irrewillipe, Irrewillipe East, Gellibrand and Kawarren.

Early this morning, a take shelter warning was issued for Tallangatta Valley, Bullioh, Koetong, Shelley, Berringama, Lucyvale and surrounds as a bushfire burns 25 kilometres west of Walwa.

A take shelter warning is also current for Carlisle River and surrounding areas.

A total fire ban remains in place across the state today.

"Many of these major fires will continue to burn for days if not weeks," Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said during a press conference yesterday.

Sheer scale of Longwood fire

Around 15,000 responders have been on the ground fighting 32 fires across Victoria.

Some are much larger than others.

The Longwood fire, which is still burning out of control, has a perimeter of around 400 kilometres.

Firefighters are still battling to contain the monster blaze, which is threatening multiple townships in the state's north.

There are several take shelter warnings in place for communities impacted by this fire.

For more information, visit VicEmergency.

Ten fires remain of great concern, premier says

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said there are 10 major fire zones that are of particular concern to authorities.

An "enormous" amount of resources has been deployed to these areas, Allan said.

There are currently 15 emergency warnings advising people to leave now.

Another 17 watch and act warnings have also been issued.

Harcourt fire now around 80 per cent contained

The devastating Harcourt fire, which has reduced multiple homes to rubble, is now mostly contained.

"To give you a sense of the enormous work that's been done in just a 24-hour period, the Harcourt fire ground is around 80 per cent contained," Allan said.

"Which is just a remarkable effort given this time yesterday it was a very hot and active fire."

The fire swept through Harcourt on Friday afternoon, with its speed catching locals by surprise.

$19.5m fire support package announced

The federal and state governments will offer a $19.5 million package to support those who have been impacted by the fires.

"The package has been shaped by what we've been hearing on the ground over the last couple of days, and it's why it focuses on the personal hardship payments, emergency accommodation and also support for livestock as well," Allan said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the jointly funded package will provide urgent financial help to primary producers who have lost a significant amount of livestock.

"It's estimated that thousands of heads of cattle are likely to have been impacted and in need of urgent attention and care," he said.

Impacted residents who have been injured or lost homes will also be eligible for a one-off disaster recovery immediate payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.

"My message to Victorians is pretty simple: We've got your back, not just during this crisis but through the recovery as well," Albanese said.

"We'll work cooperatively with the government to make sure we deliver what is necessary so that people and communities can get back on their feet after what has been a very difficult period."

READ MORE: 'It was too late': Brigade commander loses home while defending neighbouring properties

Water in bushfire-ravaged town 'not safe to drink'

There is another blow for residents returning to their charred homes in Harcourt, in Victoria's Central Highlands, after the Ravenswood Fire went through the area.

Authorities have said the tap water is "not safe to drink" and boiling it will not help.

It's believed a burst water main may have caused contaminated water to enter the network, but crews were unable to access the main due to the conditions.

They're working to provide an alternative water supply until they can repair the damage.

In the meantime, people are advised to only drink bottled water.

Victorians are also being warned about poor air quality across large parts of the state.

Geelong, Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland, the North East, North Central, Northern Country, Wimmera and Mallee are listed as "poor", according to the state's Environment Protection Authority.

While for Melbourne, Central and West and South Gippsland, the air quality is currently labelled "fair" and it's at "good" in the state's south-west.

'Kick in the guts' for those who've lost everything

Losing his home while defending neighbouring properties was a "kick in the guts" for Tyrone Rice.

The Harcourt local has worked with the County Fire Authority for 48 years and was fighting a bushfire in his hometown when he received news that his own house was in the firing line.

"It was too late, it was gone, it was already on fire," he told 9News.

Rice is now grappling with the loss.

"[A] bit like a kick in the guts, but I'm not the first person to go through it, and I won't be the last," he said.

And Rice was not alone - his brother and sister-in-law, who lived nearby, also lost their home.

Meanwhile, volunteer firefighter Michael Harper also lost his Alexandra home as he helped others.

The township of Ruffy had numerous properties and the town's 150-year-old school decimated by the Longwood Fire.

Jamie and Ann Laherty-Hunt's home of more than a decade was among those lost, describing the fast-moving blaze as "a freight train just coming at us".

"When it came, it came," Mrs Laherty-Hunt told 9News.

"Everyone uses the word ferocious, and it really kind of is." 

Emergency relief assistance extended

Allan said the community is grieving as she declared a state of disaster across Victoria.

The primary reason for the declaration was to allow more powers for emergency workers to force evacuations and keep people out of danger areas.

"This has been with one single purpose, protecting and saving Victorian lives," Allan said in a press conference on Saturday morning.

It also opens up more support payments for those in need, with anyone in a fire zone now eligible.

"This will not be the end of the assistance for those fire-affected communities, as those impact assessments continue, we know there is a long recovery journey ahead," Allan said.

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