Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has slammed 'fire tourists' for travelling to bushfire-ravaged towns to gawk at the devastation.
Firestorms have torn through more than 350,000 hectares across the state in recent days, wiping out dozens of communities and reducing at least 300 structures to rubble.
By early Sunday afternoon, three major blazes were still at emergency warning level, with conditions at their worst level since the 2019 Black Summer Bushfires.
Allan condemned sightseers entering fire-flattened towns and delivered a sharp message: 'Stay away.'
'It is wrong to go into these fire grounds where it's unsafe and you don't belong there, and you'll be dealt with by Victoria Police,' she said.
Emergency management commissioner Tim Weibusch echoed her frustration, revealing that authorities had already intercepted unwanted visitors in restricted areas.
'Disappointingly, in the last 24 hours we've started to see some tourists or spectators heading into some of our fire‑impacted zones,' he said.
'I can't emphasise enough, the state of disaster is now in place for 18 local government areas. Where those fire‑impacted zones appear on the Vic Emergency website, those are the areas we do not expect to see visitors.'
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has slammed 'fire tourists' for travelling to bushfire-ravaged towns to gawk at the devastation.
Firestorms have torn through more than 350,000 hectares across the state in recent days (pictured, a destroyed property in Harcourt).
By early Sunday afternoon, three major blazes were still at emergency warning level (pictured, grass fire burns a hillside in Longwood).
'Our clear message is that in the fire‑impacted zones, these are not places for visitors, spectators or tourists; they are places for our emergency services and, when safe, local residents.'
Residents across Victoria are being warned that Sunday's cool change may not deliver the relief many hope for, with volatile winds threatening to reignite already-devastating bushfires.
Thousands remain under threat, with 15 emergency warnings still active as three major fires tear through multiple regions.
Authorities say the slight drop in temperature has slowed fire activity, but insist the danger is far from over.
Vic Emergency issued an alert, warning that 'strong south-westerly winds may cause the situation to change at any time'.
The Bureau of Meteorology backed the warning, with senior meteorologist Dean Narramore describing the coming hours as 'potentially dangerous', especially as winds shift and drive flames into new territory.
'A number of fires are already out of control and still going, so even light to moderate winds can cause some big issues there,' Mr Narramore told the ABC on Sunday morning.
He said some blazes, especially the Longwood fire and the fast‑moving north‑east Victoria fire, have now become so intense they're capable of generating their own weather systems.
Residents across Victoria are being warned that Sunday's cool change may not deliver the relief many hope for (pictured, dry grass and piles of pine trees on fire in Longwood)
Fifteen emergency warnings still active as three major fires tear through multiple regions
Authorities say the slight drop in temperature has slowed fire activity but insist the danger is far from over (pictured, a resident using a water tanker trailer to fight spot fires)
'So you can get localised areas of strong and gusty winds in and around the fires as well, regardless of what the background weather is doing.'
Fire crews on the ground are bracing for highly unpredictable conditions as winds strengthen this afternoon, threatening to fan flames in new directions and complicate containment efforts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Allan on Sunday announced a $19.5million relief package for communities devastated by Victoria's bushfires.
The fires have scorched more than 300,000 hectares of bushland in the state's south-east, destroying more than 300 structures.
Authorities warn the damage bill is still rising as emergency crews continue to bring the blazes under control.
This joint funding, delivered under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, is the first major financial boost for thousands of Victorians now facing the daunting task of rebuilding.
The biggest share, $10million, will go to farmers struggling to feed livestock after huge tracts of pasture were lost.
Another $5million will fund case support workers through the Recovery Support Program, assisting fire-affected residents with everything from lost documents to emergency help.
A further $1.5million is earmarked for temporary accommodation for families who've lost their homes.
A further $1.5million is earmarked for temporary accommodation for families who've lost their homes (pictured, fire burns close to a shed in Longwood).
A further $1million will go towards mental health support as communities grapple with the emotional toll of the disaster.
An additional $2million will set up a dedicated recovery hotline so residents can quickly access critical services, especially where power and phone lines have been cut.