Uninsured residents who have lost their homes in devastating bushfires will get a leg up to rebuild as an appeal is launched for donations.
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Twelve major bushfires continued to rage across Victoria on Monday afternoon after summer heatwaves spurred out-of-control blazes that destroyed homes, killed livestock and led to at least one death.
More than 350 structures including about 100 homes have been lost and up to 1000 agricultural properties impacted.
Premier Jacinta Allan on Monday visited Natimuk, where about 30 homes have been destroyed, to announce emergency assistance payments of up to $52,250 for uninsured households to re-establish their principal place of residence.
A Victorian bushfire appeal will also open online from Tuesday for public donations.
"Every dollar will go to where it is needed," Ms Allan told reporters.
The threat has eased from the Longwood fire in central Victoria, with cooler temperatures and lighter winds aiding efforts to bring it under control.
However, two emergency warnings remain for blazes near Walwa, in the state's northeast, and near the Otways, in the southwest.
"Whilst the conditions are easing in some parts of the state, even the slightest of winds are still causing those fires to move around," Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said.
Authorities expect gusty northwest winds and hot weather to return towards the end of the week.
Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan warned against complacency, with another "heating event" expected towards the end of January.
"Much work will be done between now and then to contain these fires," he said
Ms Allan earlier posted a video of herself returning to her home near Bendigo on Sunday after she was forced to flee the Harcourt fire.
Smoke was still visible in the distance but her home remained standing.
The smoke haze from Victoria's fires spread to inland NSW and parts of New Zealand.
The haze could linger around much of Victoria for days in low winds, weather bureau senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.
People have been urged not to be a "tourist" around the fires after community members were seen taking photos and driving around traffic management points.
The Northern Territory government overnight deployed a strike team of 22 firefighters, an incident management team of 11 members and a liaison officer to assist in battling Victoria's bushfires.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the NT would send every available resource to assist Victoria in its moment of need.
Police confirmed on Sunday that human remains had been found near a fire-affected road at Gobur, a remote area east of Seymour.
The body of a man in his 60s was discovered 100 metres from a car.
The fire-affected patch was scorched when the roaring Longwood fire moved through on Friday.
Paddocks were littered with the remains of animals and livestock that did not make it to safety.
Ruffy Country Fire Authority captain George Noye told AAP half of the small town's residents had lost either their homes or a structure.
The local primary school is also unrecognisable after being burned to the ground.
Australian Associated Press
