Victoria is braced for a day of mourning, with the death toll from the state's rampant bushfires expected to pass 40.

Fourteen deaths have been confirmed so far. Six people have been killed at Kinglake, four at Wandong, three at Strathewen and one at Clonbinane.

The number of houses destroyed is also expected to climb, with at least 100 already confirmed, and steady reports of destruction continuing to filter in.

Destroyed homes include 50 in Bendigo and 30 at Wandong, north of Melbourne.

ABC Local Radio caller Georgina, whose husband is battling to salvage the town of Strathewen with CFA volunteers, says the town has been devastated by the devastating fires.

She fears many of the town's residents may have lost their lives.

"It's just absolute devastation and people have seen things today that have been absolutely horrific," she said.

"There's a lot of families in Strathewen that we haven't been able to account for.

"The school's gone, the hall's gone... some people left it too late. We've lost friends, and we're just waiting for more - children, loved ones."

She says the town is largely inaccessible as fallen logs and debris block the main roads, but has urged trapped residents to remain optimistic.

"They're just so cut off out there and we just wait for daylight now and hope that there's nothing out there left to burn," she said.

"They're calling out to houses and they can't hear people answering. Hang in there anybody that's listening and still cut off because they're coming."

Georgina says her family miraculously escaped alive after losing their homes.

"My house is gone and most of my family and friends' houses are gone. I have my uncle and cousins and people bunkered up in my mother's house, which is one of the only surviving ones," she said.

"They've got no mobile reception, they've got no power, no water. The tanks have melted, they were in dams, they were hiding behind concrete tanks and it's amazing we didn't lose any family members."

"I'm very grateful that we're still here and we're OK... we evacuated early."

Senior Constable Wayne Wilson has urged people to be patient and avoid speculation, as clarification on a final death toll will take time.

"We have the official toll at 14, obviously under the conditions we expect it to go higher, [but] we've got to go through these places in the daylight, where we can search them properly," he said.

"These sort of situations it does take time for clarification to come through... particularly when you are dealing with death.

"We do it as quickly as we can but we've got to do it in a methodical and accurate way."

One building left

The Country Fire Authority says there is "possibly one building left standing" in Marysville, as relentless bushfires engulfed the town north of Melbourne.

Greg Esnouf, the CFA's deputy chief fire officer, told ABC Local Radio that Marysville had been all but destroyed by the blazes.

"We're starting to get some reports in now that are very saddening," he told ABC Local 774 in Melbourne.

"This latest report says Marysville possibly one building left standing - that's just shocking.

"Anyone who knows Marysville, it's a beautiful town and that's really sad. "It's very disturbing for the township itself."

The CFA later issued a statement saying Marysvalle residents were safe and had assembled at the local Gallipoli Park.

Earlier, Kinglake resident Peter Mitchell told ABC Local Radio that buildings all around him were on fire as he sheltered at the fire station.

"[There is] flame everywhere, trees exploding, gas tanks exploding, buildings on fire, it's very, very, very serious.

"I can't quite see down into the main stretch of town, but there's a lot of flame coming up from there, so I presume most of the town is going up.

Mr Mitchell said he feared for the safety of other Kinglake residents.

"We'll be fine, there'll be others trapped, poor souls I don't know," he added.

Deadly conditions

The cool change which promised to bring relief to struggling crews instead brought changing winds, turning fires from extremely dangerous to deadly.

The deterioration in conditions forced many crews to abandon fighting fire fronts and focus on protecting properties.

Mr Esnouf says the weather will offer only minor relief from the harsh conditions.

"There's been some reports of a bit of rain here, and a bit of rain there and that will certainly help overnight and into tomorrow but it won't put the fires out," he said.

Firefighters are continuing to work on 10 major fire fronts across the state.

The CFA has warned a fire burning near Beechworth in Victoria's north is pushing east, with spot fires appearing up to 6 kilometres ahead of the main front.

The Victorian Government has activated the emergency grants system, with financial assistance available for people damaged or destroyed property.

For information on the Victorian fires call the Country Fire Authority's information line on 1800 240 667.

Concerned Australians are being urged to show restraint in using the emergency services websites, with several struggling to cope with the increased traffic.

However a CFA spokesman said those concerned about the wellbeing of loved ones should not hesitate to use the sites.