THREE young people who died in a Yarra Glen inferno tried to ring relatives to tell them they loved them just before they died.

Melanee Hermocilla, 23, her boyfriend Greg Lloyd, 22 and her brother Jaeson Hermocilla, 21, were house-sitting in Yarra Glen on Saturday when Victoria's worst fires struck.

There were no fires in the area when they arrived at the house, but extreme heat and a change of wind brought the raging flames that took their lives.

Mr Lloyd called his father, who owned the house, and was told the house was as fire-safe as could be, but to call the CFA for advice.

He did, but with the fires the most ferocious in Victoria's history, the three stood little chance of surviving, let alone of escape.

Stephanie Kounelis, who is helping organise memorials for her friends Melanee, Greg and Jaeson, said the three were able to get out a last message of love before the fire claimed their lives.

"They called Greg's family and said their final goodbyes," Ms Kounelis said.

"They tried to cover themselves in wet towels and were trying to stay together and they were just crying into the phone saying this was it."

Ms Kounelis said Melanee was an inspiration to anyone who met her.

She was in her final year of studies at Monash University and a dedicated law student

Melanee and Jaeson lost their mother to breast cancer four years ago, and the children had done a lot to support breast cancer awareness, Ms Kounelis said.

Jaeson's friend Nick Stanway said Jaeson was a happy person who always had a smile on his face.

"He was a great friend. He was always very positive at everything and always willing to help," Mr Stanway said.

"He will be missed dearly."