Victorian fire crews looking for more burnt homes

Three homes and up to 10 farm sheds have so far been lost in a 1300-hectare scrub and bush fire near Ballarat.

But authorities warn it is still too dangerous for residents to return to the area as they continue to assess damage caused by the Mt Bolton blaze.

The fire, which on Tuesday razed two principal homes, another older, unoccupied farm house and between six and 10 farm sheds, is contained but still burning.

Ground crews were blacking out hot spots and extinguishing active fire edges at 7.30pm on Wednesday as conditions cooled in Victoria's north after two days of scorching 40C-heat.

Scott Williams from the Bureau of Meteorology says Mildura, Swan Hill and surrounding areas will get a reprieve from 8pm on Wednesday.

The senior forecaster says while Thursday's weather will still be "fairly" warm with a top of 34C in much of the north, high humidity and low winds will hinder any fire activity.

A cold front from Tasmania will also provide milder conditions over the next four days, Mr Williams said, before the state begins to heat up again on Tuesday next week.

The relief comes as fire crews investigate 15 of Tuesday's fires, which Victoria's emergency management commissioner Craig Lapsley says were likely caused by "human error".

But Noel Frunks, who runs Mt Bolton Homestead and Poultry Stud and lost his home in the blaze, told 3AW on Wednesday "human event" was code for "some bastard lit a fire".

Mr Frunks lost hundreds of breeding birds but a shed containing about 400 chicks survived.

The loss of the three properties means 143 homes have perished in Victoria this fire season.