Damaging winds sweep Vic after bushfires
Firefighters are on high alert as damaging winds sweep Victoria following bush and grass fires in the state's southwest.
The cold front was forecast to bring average gusts of between 50 and 60 km/h overnight into Monday before easing in the afternoon.
Fire authorities were concerned the winds could put pressure on containment lines around the Cobden, Terang, Camperdown, Gazette and Garvoc fires, burning for more than a week.
But the biggest risk to communities was smoke billowing from several peat fires, which led to the evacuation of 55 aged care residents from Cobden, and the opening of relief centres in the town and at nearby Terang.
Peat fires are made up of partially-decayed vegetation, and produce stinking and irritating gases which particularly affect those with heart or lung conditions.
Health assessments are available at the Terang Civic Hall for people exposed to the smoke.
The concerns escalated as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited Cobden on Sunday to speak to residents and firefighters hit by the previous weekend's fires.
At least 160 fires broke out from last Saturday, driven by strong winds, and unusually hot and dry weather.
More than 60 sheds, 26 houses and thousands of livestock were destroyed but no one died.
"Nature throws her worst at us time and time again - fires, floods and it brings out the solidarity, the love, the community spirit, the resilience of Australians again and again," Mr Turnbull told reporters from Cobden.
"People looked after themselves and looked after their neighbours, knocked on doors, made sure that people were home, that they got out and confirmed that houses they thought were empty, were empty."
