Cool change, rain to alleviate conditions as fires burn

A moderate risk-of-fire rating remains in place following days of extreme and high fire danger.

Bushfire - Watch and Act for Moliagul. You should monitor conditions, as they are changing. For more info: — cfa_updates (@CFA_Updates) https://t.co/c7rUQkoIR0 #VicFiresJanuary 5, 2025

Firefighters battled blazes in the Central Goldfields region near Maryborough and at Moliagul, west of Bendigo, with residents in the area advised to watch and act amid attempts to bring the fires under control on Sunday afternoon.

Residents near the Moliagul fire were advised to monitor for increased or changing winds and smoke.

Authorities remain concerned about a bushfire burning in the east of the Grampians National Park since mid-December, with a watch and act warning in place.

Residents were allowed to return to their properties with caution at the weekend.

The fire is still burning but its spread has slowed, with those in the area advised to monitor conditions amid hot and windy weather.

An approaching cool change will bring welcome relief to — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) #SEAustralia in the coming days.The cool change will make its way across the remainder of the south-east, reaching #Melbourne overnight tonight & #Sydney on Monday evening.Latest forecasts: https://t.co/4W35o8i7wJ pic.twitter.com/Vhr83ZrdvHJanuary 5, 2025

Heatwave warnings remain in northern WA, northeast South Australia, and parts of northern NSW on Monday.

A high fire danger is forecast in Sydney and surrounding areas with temperatures expected to approach 40C in the city's west on Monday, meaning residents should be ready to act in the event of fires.

Similar danger is forecast in the state's central west, southern ranges and north western regions.

Residents were advised to monitor conditions with a number of fires burning in Muswellbrook and other parts of the NSW Hunter region.