Victoria is bracing for severe fire danger after two stormy days brought rain to fire-affected areas as well as a trail of further destruction.
A new weather change starting on Wednesday morning will bring temperatures in the high 30s and strong winds with speeds of up to 50km/h in parts of the state.
The Country Fire Authority is concerned the weather conditions will not only threaten to flare up current fires in the east but also to start new blazes in western and central Victoria.
A total fire ban will be in place across all western and central areas of Victoria, as fast-running grassfires might mean firefighters will struggle to extinguish new blazes sparking on Wednesday.
"It's been merry-go-round weather over the last few days. We've gone from fires and storms and floods and giant hail the size of limes to fire danger escalating on our doorstep," Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Kevin Parkyn told reporters.
This new spin of weather conditions comes after heavy rainfall caused thousands of people calling emergency services for help.
The State Emergency Service has received 2220 calls for assistance since rain lashed the state on Sunday afternoon, followed by another bout of storms on Monday.
The majority of calls have been for building damage, with about 300 for trees down and 250 for flooding.
The rain fell hardest on Monday at Gippsland's Mount Moornapa, which received 139mm, marking its wettest day since 2007.
Melbourne recorded 44mm of rain on Tuesday, which marked its highest 24 hour rainfall since 2011.
Lighter showers in East Gippsland and the north east have helped firefighters fight the active blazes ravaging the region, but have also caused damage to roads and landslips.
But crews have managed to get roads open for residents despite the fire and rain.
"Sections of the Princes Highway from Orbost to Cann River and from Mallacoota to the New South Wales borders have been opened to local residents and people that get a permit," Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said.
"We're continually working on other sections of the roads to open them up as quickly as possible...but that could be a situation that will confront us for a period of time."
With 98 per cent of the initial assessment completed by emergency services, 405 residential properties and more than 600 other structures have been confirmed damaged.
The impact of flooding and debris running into waterways is also of concern.
"There's a significant chance for run-off today, off the ground, and for those streams and creeks to run quite hard with debris, rocks, sticks and the like," SES deputy chief officer Alistair Drayton said on Monday.
There were 14 bushfires still burning in Victoria by Tuesday afternoon, with all now at advice level, meaning they don't pose risks to lives and homes.
Australian Associated Press
