Bushfire losses mount, dangerous conditions ahead

Nearly 300 homes have been destroyed by bushfires in one state as authorities warn heightened fire dangers are set to return.

Ten major fires continue to burn in Victoria, with more than 411,000 hectares scorched across the state.

Settled and cooler conditions have helped firefighters build containment lines but conditions are expected to worsen over the next few days.

Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said good overnight rainfall helped alleviate three fires burning in Gippsland and one at Wanangatta.

Easing conditions also allowed firefighters to contain the Harcourt, Kennedy Creek and Wyperfeld fires.

But for the Longwood and Otway fires, the losses have mounted.

"Despite yesterday's rainfall in that area, unfortunately, it didn't cross the Otway fires," Commissioner Wiebusch told reporters on Friday.

The Longwood region saw the greatest increase in damage over the past 24 hours.

"In the Longwood fire footprint ... we have, sadly, 213 homes that have been destroyed and that's up from 173 yesterday," Commissioner Wiebusch said.

"Not to mention the widespread stock losses and also damage to other agriculture and vineyards."

Confirmed home losses have climbed to 289, with another 18 significantly damaged.

More than 1000 structures have also been damaged or destroyed.

Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman Diana Eadie said heightened fire dangers will return to Victoria on Friday and Saturday next week.

"The 23 and 24 of January looks likely to be the next peak fire period for Victoria," she said.

Meteorologist Angus Hines said firegrounds are likely to continue to experience strong winds over the coming days.

"The winds will be blowing fairly strongly through northern and western parts," he said in an update on Friday afternoon.

Victoria's bushfire season will be reviewed by the state's emergency management watchdog after volunteer firefighters this week demanded an inquiry into bushfire preparedness.

They have raised questions about funding cuts, ageing equipment and aerial firefighting capacity.

The government agreed on Thursday to request a formal review, but maintains its focus is on recovery and support, with high-risk fire danger still days ahead.

"Once the risk is reduced, we will request a formal review into this bushfire season led by the Inspector General for Emergency Management, not politicians," a Victorian government spokesperson said.

But firefighter unions say an IGEM review cannot deliver the level of scrutiny, independence or public accountability a parliamentary inquiry would provide.

"A parliamentary inquiry is the only way to independently examine why repeated warnings from firefighters and communities were ignored," Andrew Weidemann from the Across Victoria Alliance said.

The Victorian and federal governments also announced $82 million in funding earlier this week to restore and repair state roads and public transport infrastructure damaged by fires.