Wind and lightning cause Vic fire concern
Gusty conditions predicted for Victoria could prove difficult for crews battling fires in the southeast.
A watch and act message has been issued for those in Grantville and surrounding areas as emergency crews brace for windy conditions around lunchtime on Tuesday, which could reignite hot spots and create more smoke in the area.
Air crews will also spend the rest of the week scanning northeast Victoria for new bushfires after thousands of lightning strikes bombarded the area.
And there could be more on the way.
In the 24 hours to late Monday the Bureau of Meteorology recorded about 18,000 lightning strikes across Victoria.
"We fully anticipate that additional fires will start during the next few days as a direct result of the lightning," Forest Fire Management Victoria assistant chief officer Aaron Kennedy said.
"Our fire detection towers will be operating for extended hours because of the increased threat."
Two fires continue to concern authorities because of their location.
"The ones we're concerned about are the fires in and around Walhalla, that's still in inaccessible country and of course, the one that continues around Thomson Reservoir, that's state critical infrastructure," Country Fire Authority Chief Steve Warrington told ABC Radio.
Authorities have been concerned the fire will enter the catchment of the reservoir, one of Melbourne's drinking water sources.
Tuesday's developing easterly winds will bring smoke from fires in the Gippsland region across Melbourne, BoM supervising meteorologist Michael Efron said.
"As we head into Tuesday, we will see conditions becoming a little more unsettled as a low pressure trough persists over northern Victoria. We will see some shower and thunderstorm activity especially across the eastern ranges during the afternoon and evening."
Later in the week humidity is expected to increase along with moisture levels.
