Australia-Death toll 76 and counting in bush fires that are out of control.

A total of 76 people are confirmed dead in the Victorian bushfires, now described as even worse than the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983.

The toll rose progressively throughout Sunday, up from 25 confirmed dead on Sunday morning, rising hourly as firefightrs gained access to the ravaged areas.

More than 700 houses have been lost.

More than 300,000 hectares have been burnt.

Losses to livestock and animals has not yet been assessed.

Some of the fires continued through Sunday, as 3000 firefighters struggled again to contain seven major firefronts.

A bushfire still rages out of control from the Bunyip State Park towards the townships of Labortouche and Tonimbuk.

Stories from victims recount the horror of the blazes as they ravaged towns surrounding Melbourne and other parts of Victoria.

Police have confirmed that people were killed in fires in the following areas:

Kinglake, Kinglake West, St Andrews, Arthurs Creek, Humevale, Wandong, Bendigo, Strathewen, Callignee, Upper Callignee, Hazelwood 3, Jeealang 1.

Friends and family of victims of the Kinglake fire broke down sobbing outside the Whittlesea community activity centre upon learning of the fate of 12 residents who perished in the blaze where six people were killed in one car.

Marie Jones from Canberra, who was visiting a friend at Kinglake yesterday, said a badly-burnt man had arrived at the property where she was staying with his infant daughter, and told her his wife and other child had been killed.

Both Marysville and Kinglake townships have been nearly wiped out by the fires, with Marysville residents evacuated in a convoy on Sunday morning from the area.

CFA spokesman Paul Swan said firefighters were still battling nearby blazes.

The Marysville fire is part of the Murrindindi blaze, which has now merged with the Kilmore fires, with about 100,000 hectares now burning in that area.

Police suspect some fires were deliberately lit on Sunday despite warnings that it was the worst day in Victoria’s history for fire conditions.

A police spokeswoman said investigators would not be able to establish how many of the fires were arson-related until they could survey the scenes and establish the origin of the blazes.

More than 100 people were treated for severe burns in Melbourne hospitals, with eight of them fighting for their lives in intensive care on Sunday night.

An emotional Premier John Brumby has warned Victorians not to underestimate the danger of fires continuing to burn throughout Victoria, saying that despite cooler temperatures it will be days before the crisis is over.

The Premier twice had to choke back tears as he described the impact of yesterday’s "devastating" fires that have so far claimed at least 25 lives.

"We pray there’s no more loss of life over the next few days," Mr Brumby said at a press conference at the CFA station in Kilmore, north of Melbourne.

"The Kilmore fire is now impacting on the Glenburn area, in particular Glenburn and settlements to the North and North East along the Melba Highway and Yea River Valley towards Murrindindi,’’ the CFA said.

"All residents in these areas are advised to activate their fire plans immediately and to remain on high alert.’

"Residents cannot rely on fire-fighting resources being able to get to their property. Remember it’s very dangerous to leave late.

"The fire is burning in a south easterly direction and is estimated to be more than 20,000 hectares in size.

"The communities of Bruarong, Glen Creek, Dederang, Running Creek, Myrtleford, Ovens, Barwidgee Creek are no longer under direct threat from this fire, but still need to remain alert due to a high level of fire activity still in the area,’’ the CFA said.

"These communities may come under new attack tomorrow as weather conditions worsen.’’

Stanley, Mudgeegonga, Rosewhite, Kancoona and Kancoona South remain under threat with CFA strike-teams continuing to work on asset protection.

A recent wind change had begun pushing a fire at Bunyip Ridge, north of Drouin, in a north-easterly direction towards the towns of Labertouche, Tarago, Jindivick West, Jindivick North, Neerim South, Neerim East, Neerim North, Whites Corner, Noogee, Tonimbuk and Robin Hood.

Firefighers have managed to control a fire in Coleraine that burnt nearly 1000 hectares.