Bushfire destroys homes near Ballarat

Three planes and more than 50 fire trucks are fighting a blaze that has destroyed homes near Ballarat, in central Victoria.

Another large air tanker is on its way from NSW to the Scotsburn fire, where an unknown number of houses have been burned.

"Homes have been lost, but we can't confirm details yet," a spokesman told AAP on Saturday.

While emergency warnings for the Scotsburn, Clarendon, Durham Lead, Garibaldi and Elaine fires have been downgraded to watch-and-act messages, the 3000ha blaze is still out of control.

More than 50 fire trucks are battling the blaze, as Victoria swelters after temperatures reached 40C and winds gusted up to 100km/h.

Three crews fighting the fire are lucky to be alive after they survived a burn-over in their trucks.

Emergency Management Victoria said the firefighters used the trucks' crew protection systems to survive, and are now back out on the fire front.

The CFA expects a wind change to send the Scotsburn fire southeasterly towards Cargerie.

Residents have been told leaving now is their safest option.