At least 28 fires continue to burn across Victoria on the second day of the state's bushfire crisis.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) says the worst fire is at Mickleham, north of Melbourne, which currently stretches 40 kilometres north towards Kilmore, Kilmore East and Wallan and covers 19,000 hectares.

Other fires continue to burn in the Latrobe Valley at Morwell, including fires in the Hazelwood open cut mine and in the East Gippsland complex of fires.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 30 seconds 30 s Fire burns overnight at Morwell open cut mine, paper factory

Teams from Victoria Police will go into the fire areas today when it is safe to assess the losses.

Victorian Fire Commissioner Craig Lapsley says several homes are confirmed destroyed, including three in Warrandyte, two in Goongerah and one in Morwell, while others were being assessed for damage.

Twelve relief centres are open across the state.

The mayor of the Mitchell Shire Council, Rodney Parker, was among 200 people who took refuge at the Wallan relief centre overnight.

"I just felt it was getting just a little bit too uncomfortable, so I decided it was probably safer if I went down there as well," he said.

Weather conditions have moderated with temperatures in the mid-20s.

Mr Ferguson says with the milder conditions many of the fires will be brought under control today.

But the crisis is not over yet.

He says it will take many days to bring the fires burning in remote areas of Gippsland.

There are about 6,000 firefighters from Victoria, New South Wales and New Zealand battling the fires.

Fire too close for comfort

Peter Darvell of Forbes, a tiny town near Kilmore, had a scary experience when the Mickleham fire went through on Sunday night.

"I really didn't think I was going to make it but luckily in our case the fires spread around our house and our shed and went either side of us," he said.

"For a good five or ten minutes I thought this is the end."

Mr Darvell says he thought he wouldn't survive. ( ABC News )

Mr Darvell says the fire was a massive fireball that moved very quickly.

"I left it too late. It was too big. No visibility," he said.

"I ran off the road a couple of times. Luckily I was in my 4 wheel drive.

"I just turned around and went back. (I) just sheltered at home. So yeah just very lucky. Should've left earlier."

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has praised the efforts of firefighters across the state.

He says everyone has learned from the lessons of the Black Saturday bushfires.

"There is no doubt Victoria is much better placed (now) then where we were five years ago," he said.

"We have learned the lessons and our government has put in place changes that have made a real difference."

Peter Marzorini, a part-time farmer at Forbes, near Wallan sheltered in his cattle sheds when the fire went through.

"I took my cattle into the cattle yards and the dog and me and 1,000 litres of water and watched one fire go past," he said.

"Then another fire went past on the west side. Afterwards I went out and sprayed water on trees and logs."

Mr Marzorini said he wanted to stay and protect his cows.

"They're fine. They're eating today. I gave them some hay, they're drinking and not one was lost," he said.

"I had a definite plan and I had a dog with me to speed up the mustering.

"When there was smoke and ash I began to get a little bit worried then almost immediately it was all gone. It was quite thick and then it was gone."