More than 2,000 firefighters are working across the state to contain more than a dozen blazes

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Bushfires have ripped through Victoria’s east, with a wind change challenging firefighters working all night to contain the blaze.

Despite cooler conditions expected on Monday, firefighters may have to contend with dry lightning, which could start more fires.

Four bushfires merge in Victoria into out-of-control blaze Read more

The Bunyip state park fire, burning 65km east of Melbourne, was sparked by lightning strikes on Friday and over the weekend had destroyed more than 10,000 hectares.

Late on Sunday the blaze was racing towards the Princes Freeway and emergency warnings remained in place for the surrounding area.

“The risk of lightning redevelops in the late morning with the chance of some showers and thunderstorms,” Bureau of Meteorology’s senior forecaster Christie Johnson said.

While there was a chance of showers, it was hard to pinpoint where they would hit, and there would only be a few millimetres of rainfall, she said.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Helicopters drop water on a bushfire near Yiinnar in Gippsland. Photograph: David Crosling/AAP

“It will be cooler and more humid on Monday which will help with the firefighting efforts,” she said.

However, Sunday night’s wind change was raising worries the blaze would change direction.

“We are certainly concerned with the change that’s going to come through ... we know that will mean the eastern flank of the fire will become the head of the fire,” emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp said on Sunday.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Gippsland’s fires have been burnig since Friday afternoon. Photograph: David Crosling/AAP

“The Bunyip fire is worse than one that burned in the same spot on Black Saturday, the Country Fire Authority assistant chief officer, Trevor Owen, said.

“Whilst it damaged some property [in 2009] it was a very narrow finger compared to what we’re facing with this fire, because this fire has been growing,” Owen told a community meeting in Pakenham.

More than 2,000 firefighters were working to contain blazes around the state, he said.

There had been reports of a house and sheds destroyed at Tonimbuk, reportedly belonging to the Jinks Creek Winery, and Garfield North, but so far authorities had only been able to confirm three properties were lost in the blaze.

Two homes were also lost in the Budgeree-Wilsons Promontory fires, incident controller for those blazes, Peter West, told the ABC.

An emergency warning was issued for Yinnar South, with the blaze growing to more than 1,500 hectares and significant spot fires.

A watch and act remained in place for communities near Dargo and Licola in Gippsland on Sunday night.

“Although the wind has eased, reducing fire activity, there is still potential for spotting, and you should remain vigilant,” authorities said of the Dargo blaze.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jumbuck resident Gary Williams inspects his property after fighting flames throughout the night to save his house. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

There were around 19 other fires still burning across Victoria.

The hot and windy conditions were expected to linger until Wednesday when rain was expected to help firefighters.

For the latest official warnings on the fire situation visit: emergency.vic.gov.au