Victoria's Otways fire continues to burn

VICTORIA'S OTWAYS FIRE TO BURN FOR WEEKS

THE FIRE

* 2350 hectares, out-of-control

* More than 500 personnel fighting it

* Deep-seated in thick forest

* Expected to burn for weeks

EVACUATIONS

* Kennett River, Grey River, Wongarra evacuated for Thursday

* Afternoon wind change pushed fire away from that area

* Lorne not under threat Thursday

* Great Ocean Road closed between Lorne and Skenes Creek until early January

CHRISTMAS DAY FLARE-UP

* 98 homes lost in Wye River, 18 in Separation Creek

* 334 homes in those areas - 80 primary residences, the rest holiday homes

* Fire sparked by lightning December 19 in terrain not burnt in decades

NEW YEAR'S EVE

* Total fire ban for south west, central, north central, Wimmera and West and South Gippsland

* Fireworks permits revoked along Surf Coast and Otways, from Torquay to Apollo Bay

INSURANCE AND RELIEF

* Insurance estimates $53 million

* Relief grants up to $1300 per household, grants up to $32,000 for primary residences.