Victoria emergency services warn people to prepare for horror fire conditions

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DECIDE early to either leave or stay home.That's the message from emergency services to residents in high fire danger areas ahead of a predicted return to horror bushfire conditions tomorrow.

With temperatures expected in the high 30s across most of Victoria, strong winds and possible lightning later in the day, Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin said its key directive to the community was "to be prepared" for extreme fire conditions.

"Don't leave it too late in the day when you can see fire. Make that decision very early and make it a very conservative decision," Mr Esplin said.

"If you're not prepared physically and psychologically then it is better to be away from that area."

The Black Saturday death toll remains on 210, with 2029 houses lost, Mr Esplin said.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) assistant chief officer Liam Fogarty said 10 fires were still active in Victoria.

The Kilmore East/Murrindindi North fire was the most active blaze and had burnt about 160,000 hectares so far, he said.

The Muskvale/Hogans Road fire, burning south and east of Daylesford, was now contained and significant mopping up work to make it safe was being carried out today.

Mr Esplin said that while tomorrow's temperatures were not expected to be as high as Black Saturday's, the conditions posed other serious challenges.

"We have existing fires and I think that's the challenge," he said.

"The fires that are burning, the winds, the lightning and the state of fuel that exists around the whole of Victoria are cause for real concern.

"There is just no space for complacency tomorrow."

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