The bushfires in Victoria could burn "for weeks", an expert has warned, even as official alerts across the state are downgraded.
All active bushfires are currently at watch-and-act warning levels, though residents of some communities have been told it is still not safe to return home.
More than 350 structures have been destroyed and one man, farmer Maxwell Dobson, was killed in the blaze that erupted near Longwood.
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However, Natural Hazards Research Australia chief executive Andrew Gissing warned the crisis was not over.
"Without significant rain, existing fires could burn for weeks," he said.
"Summer is a long way from over and we all need to be prepared for what Mother Nature might bring."
READ MORE: More than 350 structures including homes destroyed by Victorian fires
Gissing said that evolving fire safety strategies, including early evacuation warnings, "likely saved many lives".
"Much has changed since the 2009 Black Saturday fires when residents were encouraged to stay and defend their homes rather than leave early," he said.
Much of Victoria has endured months of drought conditions, drying the country out and making it very susceptible to fire.
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"Home preparation is essential to reduce house losses in extreme and catastrophic conditions. Research highlights that the management of bushfire fuels around homes is critical," Gissing said.
"Combustible fuels directly adjacent to homes are susceptible to ignition due to falling embers which subsequently can destroy homes. Science shows that if it can burn it should not be within a metre and a half of a bushfire prone home."
Victoria has no total fire bans in place today - for the first time since late last week - and fire danger ratings are moderate to high across the state.
Cooler conditions are expected throughout the week.
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