A FIRE ban remains in place in South Australia's northeast pastoral region, with the fire danger rated as severe.
Much of the state was under a total fire ban yesterday, with an out-of-control bushfire in the south growing to 36,000has as it continued to threaten homes and lives.
Country Fire Service state co-ordinator Mark Thomason said yesterday a large part of the perimeter of the fire, which began in grassland at Marcollat, was still not contained and the terrain was making it difficult for fire crews.
Residents were being advised to leave only if the path to a safe place was clear.
Meanwhile, the fire danger rating will decrease from severe to very high or high across Victoria today and is expected to ease further tomorrow after sweltering conditions yesterday.
The mercury climbed past 40C near country Mildura yesterday, but light cloud cover kept Melbourne hovering around 37C.
Police say a 37-year-old Baranduda man has been charged after a number of bonfires were allegedly deliberately lit at a rural property at Mitta Mitta in the Shire of Towong and left to burn yesterday.
Meanwhile, an 87-year-old man is expected to be charged on summons after allegedly setting fire to some vegetation at an Orchard in Cobram yesterday morning.
The Country Fire Authority extinguished both fires.
A cool change and high winds are expected to roll across Victoria today.
A total fire ban has been declared for parts of the state as high temperatures and gusty winds make for "severe fire conditions".
The NSW Rural Fire Service declared a total fire ban for the Northern, Southern and Eastern Riverina areas.
In yesterday’s hot weather there were 32 grass and scrub fires across the state including one in Goulburn where more than 150 ha of land was burnt.
NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Brendan Doyle said more than 20 fire trucks with 80 fire fighters attended the blaze which started about 2pm and was burning towards Rosemont Rd.
"Crews managed to protect property in the area and contain that fire," Mr Doyle said.
There were also two fires at Lachlan Valley Way, as well as Leppington and Hoxton Park.
"All those fires have been contained. There was some great work from the ground crews," he said.
Mr Doyle said the fire conditions today would be "severe" and an air crane was being moved from Bankstown to Wagga Wagga to be on standby.
"We're looking at severe fire conditions - high temperatures and windy, gusty weather," he said.
"We're asking people to be vigilant. If you see a fire without a fire truck there call triple-000 immediately."
