Conditions over the next few days are expected to include strong winds from the south and warm to hot conditions.
Deputy incident controller Dave Stephens, from Horsham Incident Control Centre, said the fires were not spreading, but still burning within the fire perimeter.
“The Grampians complex of fires and Little Desert fire are currently contained. That does not mean they’re under control,” he said.
“With the fire behaviour indices possibly increasing on Wednesday and Thursday, fire agencies will patrol and monitor the fires.”
Hundreds of emergency services personnel, including crews on the ground, in the air and in the control centres, remain in the Wimmera to oversee the fires.
Both fires, which started from dry lightning on January 27, have required the largest firefighting response remembered in the region.
The Little Desert fire spread quickly within the first couple of days, requiring the evacuation of Dimboola and other nearby communities and threatening many other surrounding towns as it burnt more than 95,000 hectares.
Accommodation and venue business the Little Desert Nature Lodge, one home and two outbuildings burnt in the fire.
Two separate Grampians fires – Wallaby Rocks and the Victoria Valley – merged with the original Yarram Gap Road fire, which started on December 17, 2024,
The Wallaby Rocks section of the fire was contained on February 8 with more than 59,000 hectares burnt.
The Yarram Gap Road section, contained on January 6 and declared under control on January 13, has a fire footprint circumference of 422 kilometres, burning more than 76,000 hectares of national park and agricultural land.
The Grampians fires claimed four residential properties, 40 outbuildings, and significant stock losses.
The Henty Highway between Horsham and Cavendish reopened on Monday, but due to fire damage, the speed limit is reduced to an 80-kilometre limit in some areas.
Both fires have caused significant wildlife and habitat loss, with animal rescues and assessment still underway.
State Response Controller David Nugent said it had been incredible work to contain the two latest bushfires at the respective national parks.
“The impacts to the local communities and tourism in those areas has been tough and hopefully we can now begin the process of re-opening those areas,” he said.
“Firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol the fires for a number of weeks. It is likely we will still see smoke and small flare-ups in the area, but we will continue to be present to deal with these when and as they arise.”
Mr Nugent thanked the Wimmera and Grampians communities for their support during the fires.
“Your co-operation in following our messaging and adhering to road closures has been invaluable,” he said.
“It has allowed our crews to focus their efforts on fighting the fire effectively while prioritising community safety.”
Both parks will remain closed, except for the areas around Halls Gap that are currently open, such as the Wonderland Loop Walk which includes The Pinnacle, Venus Baths and Grand Canyon, Chataqua Peak, Clematis Falls, Bullaces Glen and Boronia Peak.
Mt Abrupt, Mt Sturgeon and Piccaninny walking tracks are closed.
Still waiting
Small businesses and farmers are still waiting on support packages to be announced by the state and federal governments.
Minimal individual support grants have been forthcoming but federal shadow emergency management minister Perin Davey has called on the Victorian and federal governments to fast-track assessments to expand Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements for small business and primary producers.
“Western Victoria has endured immense challenges, with continued uncertainty and financial hardship,” she said.
“Immediate support for councils and evacuation centres have been rolled out but the expanded support for farmers and tourism operators is waiting on State Government assessment.
“In Australia at the moment we are seeing the tale of two disasters with businesses in far north Queensland eligible for Disaster Assistance Loans while businesses in western Victoria are still waiting.
“It is vital that both state and federal governments act quickly to restore confidence and support these devastated communities.”
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the long-term damage to local economies would be devastating.
“Halls Gap alone has lost an estimated $21-million in tourism revenue, with the region conservatively estimated to suffer a further $19-million hit in flow-on costs,” she said.
“While some other disaster-affected areas of the country have already received critical disaster assistance, local Mallee communities are still waiting due to government inaction.”
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