FIREFIGHTERS have established containment lines around the entire perimeter of the huge Victoria Valley complex fire in the Grampians but have still to bring the blaze under control.
Fire controller at the Horsham Incident Control Centre John Rowe said more than 35,000 hectares had been burnt since the fire was started by lightning nearly two weeks ago.
Most of the land burnt has been in the south-western part of the Grampians National Park including 1500 hectares of private land. About 350 firefighters worked on the blaze yesterday.
Another strike team of about 25 firefighters from Warrnambool district brigades joined the fight on Saturday.
Resources deployed against the fire yesterday included the air crane Camille, seven fixed-wing aircraft and seven helicopters.
The main fire activity yesterday was in the northern part of the affected area and fire advice warnings were in place for the Cherrypool, Glenisla, Mooralla, Woohlpooer, Bores Hill, Victoria Valley and Cassidys Gap areas.
The Henty Highway reopened yesterday. The fire risk could increase today and tomorrow with more thunderstorms forecast for the area.
Meanwhile, a vehicle received minor damage in a fire on Toolong Road, north-east of Port Fairy, about 4.30pm yesterday.
CFA units also responded to a small fire on the Princes Highway near Thistle Place at Port Fairy at 1.20pm yesterday.
The fire started when a branch fell from a tree on to power lines and caught fire.
It was quickly extinguished.
ehimmelreich@fairfaxmedia.com.au