Three homes have been destroyed by bushfire in western Victoria as mild weather conditions allow crews to strengthen containment lines.
Fire authorities say the homes are located in the Moyston area, near Ararat, and that 11 sheds in Moyston and Pomonal have also been destroyed.
"We expect those numbers to potentially change as the day goes on, but at the moment that's still a really great outcome given that we were expecting Thursday to have been a day where we could have seen the fire spread towards a much larger number of communities," Luke Heagerty from the State Control Centre said.
He said authorities were not aware of any injuries.
Crews are expecting conditions for fighting the out-of-control 75,000 hectare fire across the Grampians National Park to remain favourable for the next seven days.
Warnings have been downgraded to watch and act level with residents advised to monitor conditions.
"As each day goes by and our containment works continue, that means we're getting closer to containing that fire but, really importantly, reducing that threat," Mr Heagerty said.
He said Victorian emergency authorities were grateful for interstate firefighters who had travelled south over Christmas to provide assistance.
Speaking to media outside a home in Moyston, Oliver Sim from Forest Fire Management Victoria said the house was saved because of preventative measures by firefighters.
Despite milder conditions forecast in coming days, he said the fire was "far from over".
"Depending on weather conditions we'll just have to keep working on it," he said.
On Friday evening, authorities said Halls Gap residents who had evacuated could return to their homes.
Tourists cannot enter Halls Gap, with authorities on roads into the area asking for proof of address.
Bureau of Meterology forecaster Stephanie Miles said two to five millimetres of rain over bushfire on Saturday would offer "a little bit" of help to firefighters.
Mafeking resident Wayne Jenkins returned to his home on Friday evening, after sheltering in Ararat for days with his wife and mother, and was grateful to find it had not been destroyed.
"I prayed the last few days that we were going to come home to a house," he said.
He said his neighbour, a sheep farmer, had to euthanase livestock burnt in the fires.
Despite being able to return, Mr Jenkins said he had to remain in a hotel in Ararat because there was no power to his house.
Dan Tehan, the Federal Member for Wannon which encompasses the Grampians area, said most people returned home on Friday.
He said some people stayed in relief centres overnight but were expected to return home today.
"Everyone is just extremely grateful for the fact more houses weren't lost, more property wasn't damaged," he said.
He said assistance for tourism operators in the Grampians needed to be looked at, such as a marketing campaign, once it has been deemed safe for people to visit.
Individual support payments announced
In addition to the joint state and federal government support provided to local government areas affected by the Grampians fire, individual one-off payments are now available.
This includes payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family to help cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation.
Victorian Minister for Emergency Services and Natural Disaster Recovery Vicki Ward said it would take a couple of days after applying for the payment to come through.
"It's about these immediate supports you might need to help yourself out," she said.
People who believe they are eligible for this payment should call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226 or visit an emergency relief centre.
