LIGHTNING strikes started more than 60 fires yesterday and fire crews are bracing for more thunderstorms today.

Aircraft are surveying remote parts of Victoria this morning looking for more fires.

State Control Centre spokesman Kevin Monk said this morning more than 30 fires were listed on the CFA website started by yesterday's lightning.

"There were 60-plus fires from the lightning storms and there maybe more in steeper country, and some we call sleepers which become evident as the temperature gets warmer."

He said aircraft were working in desert country in north west Victoria and the Grampians.
 
About 12 fires are burning in the Grampians in the state's west and CFA crews remain at a fire at Edenhope.

The fires around Ballarat have been contained and crews remain in the area.

Fires also started in the Bright, Mt Buffalo and Mansfield areas.
 
Mr Monk said the Grampians was difficult terrain and previous history suggested the area proved to be a challenge for fire services.

"The forecast is for more lightning and rain so we are gearing up for another busy day."

Mr Monk said 44 New Zealand firefighters had arrived and another 40 odd from NSW would join crews today.

He said conditions today would be slightly milder but warned fires could take off quickly when coupled with thunderstorms.

Yesterday's rain was patchy across the fire ground around Harrietville in the High Country and Aberfeldy in Gippsland.

Mr Monk said several fires were started outside the fire area.

Dozer work and backburning continues on the large blazes’ edges.

"It's difficult and remote terrain. There's a lot of long dirty work that’s being done."

The Aberfeldy fire is 84,000ha in size, Harrietville-Alpine North is 18,200ha and the Harrietville-Alpine South blaze is 12,000ha.