Another home in Victoria's west has been confirmed lost from catastrophic bushfires, as residents across the state are warned to remain vigilant amid the clean-up.
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Premier Jacinta Allan has been advised by Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Rick Nugent that a house was destroyed around Pomonal at the edge of the Grampians National Park.
"That brings to 45 homes in Pomonal and one in Dadswells Bridge that have been lost as a result of those fires," the premier told reporters in Notting Hill on Sunday.
"Our thoughts are with those communities."
At least three businesses and 23 outbuildings were also razed in Pomonal.
Locals returning to inspect the losses were met with dangerous residual electricity still running through wires despite powerlines going down.
Carcasses of dead animals were strewn everywhere and water systems polluted from fire retardant used in the aerial efforts to quell the flames.
Pomonal Primary School will remain closed on Monday.
Authorities declared the fires to the east and north of the national park contained on Saturday night but it will remain closed over the weekend.
Parks Victoria are planning for a partial reopening early this week, pending weather and fire conditions.
While the fire threat has eased, Ms Allan flagged more hot weather was on the way from mid-week and urged Victorians not to let their guard down.
"Even though we've got milder weather here in the city, the fire danger rating is high Wimmera, Mallee and northern districts today," she said.
"We need to continue to monitor the weather, take the advice from the agencies, heed those warnings."
Australian Associated Press
