Gippsland resident Scott Wylie was told to evacuate his home in Fernbank due to a bushfire threat but decided to stay to protect his livestock and sheds.
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His wife and young daughters fled to a nearby town when the smoke became too much early on Tuesday but the earth-moving contractor insists he's safe because he has access to water pumps and an irrigation system.
He believes he's just one of three locals who stayed in the area and was relieved to see rain start on Tuesday afternoon.
"The reasons why we stayed is because the risk is a lot less high than what it is in middle of summer," Mr Wylie told AAP.
"Yes, we've got a 80-100km gusts that was fan-forcing it last night and did carry (the flames over) a lot of land and it is hazardous but we are not tinder dry at this point.
"There's a lot of material out there still needs to be burnt as we stopped back burning, and it is really hard to get permission to do adequate burning."
People in Victoria's east were told to leave after the out-of-control bushfire more than tripled in size.
The fast-moving blaze at Briagolong burnt 5000 hectares on Monday.
Strong winds have since fanned the flames, with the fire stretching across about 17,000 hectares as of Tuesday morning.
Emergency warnings have been issued for Cobbannah, Culloden, Moornapa and Woolenook with those still at home urged to take shelter as it was too late to leave.
"We're experiencing spot fires well ahead of the main fire front," Country Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan told ABC TV.
"Firefighters are doing their best to try and contain that fire but it is very challenging."
Another out-of-control fire, which started further south near Lakeside Track within the Gippsland Coastal Park, is also causing concern.
The fire was moving southeast after crossing the Longford-Loch Sport Road and people in Seacombe and nearby areas have been warned to take shelter.
Premier Jacinta Allan said a relief centre had been set up for affected residents at Sale.
Teams were yet to assess the fire-ravaged areas to determine what assets had been lost, Ms Allan said.
"The fire season has come and it's come early," she told reporters.
"We've also got a couple of days of really wild weather so our emergency services are responding in some really difficult circumstances in all ends of the state."
Mr Heffernan said a strong rain front should pass through the Gippsland region on Tuesday evening bringing about 30mm, in a reprieve for firefighters.
"There's a bit of a running joke down here in Victoria that you can expect four seasons in one day," he said.
"I'm going to tell you, today they're not wrong."
Some Apple iPhone users were not receiving alert notifications from the Vic Emergency app but Mr Heffernan said authorities were working to rectify the issue.
He encouraged people to check multiple information sources to ensure they received the most up-to-date advice.
Australian Associated Press
