Home destroyed, separate bushfires in west and southwest Victoria burn into a third day

A large bushfire which has destroyed at least one home and torn through well over 1000 hectares of land may have been deliberately lit, authorities have revealed.

Hot and windy conditions across Victoria over the weekend sparked more than 80 grass, scrub and bush fires across the state.

Two bushfires persisted into Monday – one at Yuulong near the Great Ocean Road in the southwest, and another at Kadnook, which is inland near the South Australian border.

The Yuulong blaze was downgraded from “leave now” to “stay informed” about 11am on Monday.

The Kadnook fire was also downgraded to “threat reduced” about an hour later, though residents still cannot go back to the homes they were forced to leave.

Victoria Country Fire Authority assistant chief Mark Gunning said authorities are treating the Kadnook blaze as possible arson.

“The fire started just south of Kadnook and it’ll be investigated. Fire investigators are on the ground today,” Mr Gunning told ABC.

“They were on the ground yesterday, working with police, and at this stage we’re treating the fire as suspicious.”

Both fires have burned through thousands of hectares of land.

At least one house has been lost in the Kadnook blaze and there are fears at least two more may have been lost.

“The fire is now contained,” the latest update from Vic Emergency states.

“It is not yet safe to return to fire-affected properties.

“Other properties that are in the warning area that have not been affected by road closures or fire may resume normal activities.”

Fire crews and heavy equipment will remain in the area to make things safe.

The warning continues: “Trees can be extremely dangerous when impacted by bushfire or high winds. Avoid standing, parking or travelling in areas of fire affected trees.”

Some roads are still closed.

A cool change overnight Sunday into Monday has helped the overall situation, but the Country Fire Authority says fires in the state’s west could burn for weeks and conditions are forecast to turn hot and windy again from Thursday.

Edenhope deputy group officer Stuart Grigg said the blaze near Kadnook in the far west was proving a challenge for fire crews.

“The worst part we’ve got is this has all happened at the start of the fire season, and we’re probably going to have to deal with this for quite a long time yet, which is really going to be tough on resources,” he told the ABC.

The West Wimmera Shire mayor said at least one home, several sheds and other farming infrastructure had burned down.

The other major fire – near the Great Ocean Road in the southwest – is still not officially under control, but a “leave now” warning has been downgraded to “stay informed”.

Hikers on the Great Ocean Walk were told to find shelter and residents were told to leave early on Sunday.

“The bushfire at Lavers Hill-Cobden Rd, Chapple Vale is still not yet under control,” the latest Vic Emergency update from 11am Monday says.

“Firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now, but the situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.”

The Great Ocean Road and all sections of the Great Ocean Walk are open, but may be closed if conditions change.

“There is currently no threat to communities, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions,” Vic Emergency says.