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Firefighters will continue their efforts to control fires burning across Victoria on Monday and milder overnight conditions will help their cause.
Warm temperatures and no chance of rain means the Country Fire Authority maintained high to very high fire danger ratings at 6am today, a state control centre spokeswoman said.
It is likely that up to 20 homes were destroyed in fires overnight in the Kilmore area.
Firefighters and emergency services will assess damage and focus on controlling out-of-control fires at Mickleham, Kilmore, Goongerah and Morwell, which, by 6am, had burnt 10,000 hectares.
An emergency warning remains in place for the Mickleham Road fire, north of Melbourne.
This warning covers the the towns of Forbes, Goldie, Goldie North, Tantaraboo and Willowmavin, where an out-of-control fire burns in a northerly direction of Kilmore-Lancefield Road towards High Camp.
CLOSER TO HOME
Closer to home, the Long Gully fire on the corner of Commet and Holmes Road is controlled, the Gisborne fire on Dalrymple Road has been contained and the Riddles Creek fire is controlled.
There is a small grass fire on Panorama Drive in Gisborne. We will bring you more information on this soon.
ROAD CLOSURES
Roads are closed between Kilmore Road, Gibsorne and Riddell Road, Riddells Creek due to fire. Drivers are advised to avoid travel to the area.
For the most up-to-date road closures, phone the VicRoads Traffic Management Centre on 13 11 70 or visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
TRANSPORT ALTERATIONS
Due to fires near Riddells Creek, the line has been suspended. Coaches are replacing trains but are not stopping at Riddells Creek and Clarkefield due to the fires.
For Monday AM peak, trains will operate between Bendigo and Gisborne with customers to transfer at Gisborne to coaches for the journey to Melbourne Southern Cross coach terminal. Delays are expected.
This plan will change if the Calder Highway is again closed due to the bushfire.