Total fire bans have been declared across Tasmania and parts of Victoria as conditions challenge firefighters in two states.
No fires can be lit in Tasmania on Sunday, including incinerators, burn-offs, campfires, fire pits and wood-fuelled barbecues.
More than 150 firefighters, 14 aircraft, eight bulldozers and scores of interstate and international teams have been battling fires sparked by dry lightning earlier in February.
The blazes have scorched at least 94,500 hectares of Tasmanian wilderness and world heritage forest.
"We have strike teams pre-positioned at strategic locations across the state ready for a rapid response if required," State Fire Commander Matt Lowe said.
He stressed Tasmanians should monitor warnings and conditions, review bushfire plans and stay aware of nearby conditions.
"I urge every member of the community to help our firefighting agencies by complying with the fire ban and if you've had a fire in the past week, please check it now to ensure it is fully extinguished," Mr Lowe said.
The federal and state governments announced grants were available for communities affected by the fires.
Impacted residents in the eligible LGAs can apply for a suite of jointly-funded grants, including the Emergency Assistance Grants, which provide funding for bushfire affected Tasmanians to buy food, water and other essential items.
In Victoria, total fire bans have been declared in the Central and North Central regions with hot, dry and windy conditions expected to elevate risks ahead of a west-to-southwest change.
State Control Centre spokesperson Luke Heagerty said strong winds and high temperatures persisted overnight with extreme fire danger forecast in the North Central and Central fire districts.
"It's certainly been a hot and windy 24 hours in Victoria, particularly overnight where we saw very strong winds persist and some very uncomfortable temperatures for parts of the state," Mr Heagerty said on Sunday.
He said a severe weather warning is in place for the Eastern Ranges from Yarra Glen, Mansfield, Dargo and Mount Baw Baw.
Wild winds and lightning have lashed parts of the state on Saturday night and Sunday, leaving 15,000 Victorians without power - mostly in the Dandenong Ranges.
In the past 24 hours, the SES received more than 220 calls for help - 100 of them overnight for fallen trees and property damage.
Fires that started on Saturday in Donnybrook, Willowmavin, Drouin West and Boho are all under control and pose no risk to communities.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said elevated fire danger was expected to continue on Sunday across Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
He said a cool change had already moved through SA and would continue to cross Victoria and Tasmania into the afternoon.
That cool change would bring gusty winds and showers, including severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts, in eastern Victoria and Tasmania's south east, Mr Hines said.
Another high pressure system will move across southeastern Australia on Monday bringing warmer conditions by the middle of the week.
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