Cool change brings relief after Vic bushfires destroy 10 homes

A cool change has brought relief for firefighters battling bushfires in Victoria and by late last night no emergency warnings remained.

Ten homes were destroyed in the state's southeast yesterday but authorities have said Victorians can expect relief from the heat - and the threat of bushfires - in the lead-up to Christmas.

Three CFA crews were lucky to escape the fast-moving blaze in the Scotsburn area, near Ballarat, where the homes were razed along with 23 sheds.

Residents in the state's north were on high alert for most of the day as an out of control fire burnt in the Barnawartha area.

Graeme Baxter from the State Control Centre said conditions are expected to settle for the next few days.

"It's time to draw a breath," Mr Baxter said.

"Things will be much calmer and cooler."

The temperature is expected to start climbing again on Christmas Eve with a top of 33C forecast.

On Saturday a separate grass fire forced the closure of the Hume Freeway at Epping, tearing through sheds and farming equipment, with unconfirmed reports of burnt cars as well.

A 34-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested in Vearings Road at about 12.50pm yesterday over the deliberately-lit blaze.

Glen Boland faced the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today, where he argued he did not start the blaze and was in fact attempting to extinguish it.

Police allege the fire was started by cigarette butts found metres from his camp site. Mr Boland has been remanded in custody.

With AAP