Fire

The declaration by Victorian Premier Steve Bracks yesterday that Tuesday's power blackout was "an act of God" is expected to leave hundreds of Melbourne restaurants, bars and cafes with little hope of compensation from insurance companies.

Water-bombing aircraft intended to help contain bushfires in eastern Victoria have been grounded because of thick smoke, including much of Melbourne.

Residents across Victoria's north east and Gippsland are on edge as fires continue to burn and weather conditions worsen.

The fires have burned more than 180,000 hectares, but some authorities say that could increase to 600,000 hectares in coming days.

Up to a fifth of Victoria could be engulfed in flames if conditions conspire to bring dozens of smaller fires together into a massive fire front tomorrow. Steve Bracks also today described the weekend fears of a super firestorm - with a front stretching across 100km - could be the worst disaster the state has experienced since 1939's Black Friday.

The Premier's dire warning came as John Howard told Victorians that federal resources were on standby to help in the battle that is expected to be at its most dangerous at lunchtime tomorrow in searing conditions.

"It's very, very scary stuff and the terrible combination of circumstances - high temperature, low humidity, all of those things - are very bad indeed,” Mr Howard told 3AW today.