Fire crews are still battling the blaze, which threatened multiple communities on Boxing Day under the worst fire conditions firefighters had seen since the 2019-20 Black Summer fires.
The fire has burnt 74,000 hectares, roughly the size of Singapore, and is expected to burn for weeks to come.
Cooler conditions have come as a reprieve for locals in nearby towns including Pomonal, Moyston and Willaura.
The intense heat paired with severe, damaging winds, with peak gusts reaching 100km/h, created dangerous conditions.
Forest Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said the damage could have been a lot worse if it weren’t for the efforts of firefighting crews.
“Without their hard work, we would have had much bigger fires causing much bigger damage,” Hardman said.
“On behalf of all Victorians, I would like to thank them because what they did on Boxing Day in extreme fire danger saved a lot more anguish and pain that Victorians now don’t have to suffer.”
Thousands of firefighters worked across the state on Boxing Day to ensure communities were kept safe.
According to Victoria Police, authorities responded to six illegal campfire callouts on Boxing Day, many of which were discovered in regional Victoria.
Multiple Victorian towns have been urged to monitor conditions as several watch and act warnings remain in place.
Firefighters are expected to take advantage of milder weather today, with crews working to reinforce containment lines and extinguish any remaining hot spots.
While the weather has improved, authorities warn conditions are still dangerous for people near the bushfire.
Three residential homes were lost in Moyston along with 11 sheds and outbuildings at Moyston and Pomonal, with impact assessments continuing.
Emergency services are expected to undergo further impact assessments when it is safe for personnel to enter the fire-impacted area.
The bushfire is travelling from Grampians National Park in an easterly direction and has impacted a communications tower at Mt William, meaning internet and mobile services could be affected.
About 163 people have attended assistance relief centres, with two remaining open in Ararat and Stawell.
Government disaster assistance is available for communities affected by the fires.
The disaster relief will apply to residents living in four local government areas: Ararat, the southern Grampians, the northern Grampians and the Macedon Ranges Shire.
“We know this is a challenging time for all communities, and all communities will be supported through this period,” Deputy Premier Ben Carroll Carroll said.