Temperatures in the high 30s and strong winds are forecast for northern Victoria and east Gippsland today, and the mercury could top 40C in the state's west, the Herald Sun reports.
A total fire ban has been declared for the northeastern and northwestern districts, including the towns of Mildura, Bendigo, Echuca, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Wodonga.
Department of Sustainability and Environment duty officer Dennis Ward said it was important people traveling anywhere over the Christmas period stayed informed and alert to weather conditions.
"We are asking all Victorians to be aware of the safety issues and include any holidays or travel in their bushfire survival plans," Mr Ward said.
The Country Fire Authority also warned motorists that the Princes Highway near Cann River, in the state's far east, could be closed today.
A 66ha fire burning at the head of the Thurra River in state forest, northeast of Cann River, could force the closure of the highway if the fire moves towards it.
The fire was started by lightning.
A larger fire near Cann River which has burnt about 6700ha is burning within control lines.
Meanwhile firefighters are breathing easier in South Australia with two big blazes now under control and temperatures dropping by at least 10C today.
Easing winds and cooler conditions have helped fire crews gain the upper hand in fires at Port Lincoln and Ninga Ninga, near Kingston in the state's southeast.
Five firefighters who were overcome by smoke inhalation at Port Lincoln yesterday have since been released from hospital.
But not before 640ha, 12 homes and nine sheds were lost in the blaze as hundreds fled Port Lincoln.
At the height of the fire there were 140 firefighters from the Country Fire Service (CFS), 20 from Metropolitan Fire Service and another 15 from the Department of Environment and Heritage.
It was the second time within a year that homes and other properties were lost in the area.
The fire at Ninga Ninga which burnt out 1300ha of scrub and grassland is now listed as contained with about 20 fire crew still in the area monitoring any hot spots.
CFS spokeswoman Karina Loxton says that with the cool change and rain falling in the north of the state there are no total fire bans in force today.
