Fires still burn in North East Victoria and around Canberra but the crisis has abated somewhat. Waterbombing continues in these areas. We have a couple of days respite before temperatures climb again into the high 30's and 40's and most of Victoria, NSW and Canberra will once again be on high alert and preparing for the worse.

Fires also broke out around Melbourne and threatened homes in the Lysterfield area and the coastal plain was quite hazy with smoke drifting from the fire. It is believed that the fire was deliberately started by a fire-bug!

Most of the fires in Australia are fought by volunteer CFA crews - our thanks go out to all these brave men and women who volunteer their time and who work under such dangerous and life threatening conditions.