UPDATE, 6pm: Nearly 30 people are missing as massive bushfires continue to tear through Victoria's east, with people warned to brace for new blazes over coming days.
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Almost 50 fires were raging in the state on Friday afternoon, predominantly in East Gippsland, the alpine region and the northeast.
Communities in the worst-hit areas have been urged to evacuate and emergency warnings - the highest alert level - were in place for four blazes at 5pm.
Premier Daniel Andrews says 28 people cannot be accounted for in East Gippsland, on top of two men confirmed dead.
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"We have grave fears for the safety and well-being of those 28 people," Mr Andrews told reporters on Friday, adding the missing were not volunteer or professional firefighters.
The premier said that number would likely change, noting some of 17 people listed as missing on Thursday had been found.
A unprecedented state of disaster was declared on Thursday, with residents in the northeast of the state told to leave before it is too late as conditions deteriorate.
The declaration, which triggers powers introduced after the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, allows authorities to compel people to leave.
Areas covered by the declaration are the East Gippsland Shire, Mansfield Shire, Wellington Shire, Wangaratta Rural Shire, Towong Shire and Alpine Shire. It also covers Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and the Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts.
About 250,000 text messages have been sent to residents in high-risk areas.
Evacuation alerts were in place at 5pm for blazes near the Buchan Valley, Abbeyard, the upper Snowy Mountains, west of Walwa and north of Mount Taylor.
The fire danger has also spread to Victoria's west, with a separate evacuation alert issued on Friday afternoon for Bessiebelle, northwest of Port Fairy, and the area south of the Budj Bim National Park.
Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville warned people who did not leave when fires hit last weekend have wished they had.
"The fires were of such ferocity and intensity that it was very traumatic and people felt their lives were absolutely at risk," she told reporters.
But not everyone can leave, with some communities still stranded.
Temperatures are expected to creep higher on Saturday, with parts of Gippsland set to hit 40C and areas of the northeast to reach 45C, before a gusty southerly change is forecast to hit.
Even after the wind change, the Bureau of Meteorology says dry lightning could strike.
Emergency Management Commissioner for Victoria Andrew Crisp said that might spark new blazes.
"Don't just be focused on the fires we've got at the moment. Be thinking about where there would be other fires," he told reporters in Melbourne.
Mr Crisp said it is also possible some current fires could merge, including a blaze in Corryong in the northeast and another in southern NSW.
Total fire bans are in place on Friday for the Mallee, Northern Country, North Central, North East, East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland weather districts
More than 780,000 hectares have already been razed and two people found dead in East Gippsland, including Buchan man Mick Roberts at his home on Wednesday.
A second man's body was later found in the fire zone at a Maramingo Creek property, near Genoa. He is believed to have suffered a medical episode while fighting the fires.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited East Gippsland on Friday to inspect the damage and meet locals.
The military has been evacuating people from the coastal town of Mallacoota after thousands of residents and tourists were stranded.
More than 180 firefighters from the US and Canada will also help exhausted Victorian crews.
"These are unprecedented times," Mr Andrews said.
"We've not had such large-scale fire activity, such a big fire edge, so many going fires, and then get another wave of really challenging weather a week or so later."
Between five and 20mm of rain could fall over Victoria's east on Sunday and Monday, but the Bureau of Meteorology says it is unlikely to do much to stop the fires.
Smoke from the East Gippsland fires hung over central Melbourne on Friday, but is expected to be pushed away by wind on Saturday.
UPDATE, 1.50pm: Nearly 30 people are missing as catastrophic bushfires continue to tear through Victoria's east amid worsening conditions.
Premier Daniel Andrews says 28 people cannot be accounted for in the state's East Gippsland region, on top of two men confirmed dead.
"We have grave fears for the safety and well-being of those 28 people who cannot be located," Mr Andrews told reporters on Friday, adding the missing were not volunteer or professional firefighters.
READ MORE: HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
The premier said that number would likely change as the bushfire crisis continued to unfold and after some of 17 people listed as missing on Thursday were found.
It comes as an unprecedented state of disaster is declared, with residents in the northeast of the state told to get out before it's too late, as conditions deteriorate.
The declaration, which entails powers introduced after the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, allows authorities to compel people to leave.
Areas covered by the declaration are the East Gippsland Shire, Mansfield Shire, Wellington Shire, Wangaratta Rural Shire, Towong Shire and Alpine Shire. It also covers Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and the Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts.
About 250,000 text messages have been sent to residents in high-risk areas.
The fire danger has also spread to Victoria's west, with a separate evacuation alert issued on Friday afternoon for Bessiebelle, northwest of Port Fairy.
Temperatures are forecast to creep up on Friday, with parts of Gippsland set to hit 40C on Saturday and areas of the northeast 45C ahead of a gusty southerly expected to move east across the state.
More than 780,000 hectares have already been razed and two people found dead in East Gippsland, including Buchan man Mick Roberts at his home on Wednesday.
A second man's body was later found in the fire zone at a Maramingo Creek property, near Genoa. He is believed to have suffered a medical episode while fighting the fires.
An evacuation alert remains in place for northeastern communities including Biggara, Tintaldra, Towong, Towong Upper, Walwa, Berringama, Burrowye, Koetong, Lucyvale, Nariel Valley and Shelley.
"The strong message from those who didn't leave (last weekend) is that they wish they had left," Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said.
"The fires were of such ferocity and intensity that it was very traumatic and people felt their lives were absolutely at risk.
"You should leave to save your life. If you don't we will be sending out police to make sure you've got the message."
But not everyone can leave, with some communities still stranded.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited East Gippsland on Friday to inspect the damage and meet locals.
The military has started evacuating people from the coastal town of Mallacoota after thousands of residents and tourists were stranded.
About 1000 were set to be evacuated by sea on Friday morning, with more expected to follow.
More than 180 firefighters from the US and Canada will also help exhausted Victorian crews.
"These are unprecedented times," Mr Andrews said.
"We've not had such large-scale fire activity, such a big fire edge, so many going fires, and then get another wave of really challenging weather a week or so later."
Between five and 20mm of rain could fall over Victoria's east on Sunday and Monday, but the Bureau of Meteorology says it is unlikely to do much to stop the fires.
"We may just see a temporary easing of the fire activity. but certainly with some drier weather coming up as you move into the middle of the week, it's unlikely to be long-lasting," senior forecaster Tom Delamotte said.
UPDATE, 12.20pm: Prime Minister Scott Morrison received a warm welcome as he arrived at the East Gippsland community of Lucknow with a shopping bag to meet bushfire survivors and volunteers.
Volunteer Wendy McPhan welcomed prime minister to the Lucknow Memorial Hall where they have been collecting goods since New Year's Eve.
He was taken through the hall where donations of clothes, food, furniture and toiletries were being sorted.
The prime minister's contributions from his bag included energy drinks, a box of cereals, tinned fruit and biscuits.
Lynn Wallwork lost her home in the fires at Sarsfield and spoke to the prime minister.
"It's a tough road ahead," Mr Morrison told her.
Ms Wallwork she was glad to see him at the centre.
He also spoke to volunteer Lorraine Hughes at the centre.Earlier a group of mates arrived at the centre to drop off supplies to help people affected by the blazes in East Gippsland.Robert Johnstone, Nathan Ellison and Bradley Wills drove from the Mornington Peninsula to Lucknow with two trailers worth of supplies.
The group organised water, furniture, underwear, socks and thongs among other items to help the area.
"We just wanted to help," Mr Johnstone said at the relief centre.
The group have been collecting since Tuesday.
UPDATE, FRIDAY, 10.30am: Nearly 30 people are missing as catastrophic bushfires continue to tear through Victoria's east.
Premier Daniel Andrews says 28 people are unaccounted for, on top of two confirmed dead from the East Gippsland fires.
A state of disaster has been declared in the region, with residents in the northeast Walwa told to get out before it's too late.
"We have grave fears for the safety and wellbeing of those 28 people who cannot be located," Mr Andrews told reporters on Friday.
"Having said that, though, these numbers will move around. A number of people who were part of the original 17 (missing people) were located yesterday."
It comes after Mr Andrews declared a state of diaster for East Gippsland.
These powers have never been used before and allow authorities to compel people to leave but police won't be arresting those who won't.
"We're not going to be dragging people down the street, forcing them to leave," Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said.
An evacuation order is in place for northeastern communities including Biggara, Tintaldra, Towong, Towong Upper, Walwa, Nariel Valley, Lucyvale, Berringama,Koetong, Shelley and Burrowye
Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and the Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts are also covered by the order.
"If you can leave, you must leave. That's the only safe thing for you, your family and, indeed, for others who may be called to your assistance," the premier said.
"We cannot guarantee your safety."
More than 780,000 hectares have been razed by about 50 fires burning in the state's east and northeast.
Temperatures are expected to creep up across the state on Friday before topping 40C in some areas on Saturday amid high winds.
The military is also evacuating thousands of people stranded in the far eastern town of Mallacoota after fires ripped through on Monday.
About 1000 were expected to be brought out via sea on Friday morning, with more to follow.
"There are unprecedented times," Mr Andrews said.
"This is a fire season of firsts."
-Georgie Moore and Kaitlyn Offer
UPDATE, 11.58pm: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews late on Thursday night declared a state of disaster for areas affected by bushfires.
This is the first time such powers have been used by the state government since since they were included in the Emergency Management Act 1986 following the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.
"If you can leave, you must leave," Mr Andrews told reporters late on Thursday.
"If you stay we cannot guarantee we can protect you."
The areas affected are:
- East Gippsland Shire
- Mansfield Shire
- Wellington Shire
- Wangaratta Rural Shire
- Towong Shire
- Alpine Shire
- Mount Buller
- Mount Hotham
- Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts
See the full statement below.
There are still 17 people missing.
UPDATE, 7pm: Victorians in regions confronted by massive bushfires are being urged to flee before temperatures spike on Saturday, amid grave fears for 17 missing people.
More than 50 fires were raging across the state on Thursday, with the worst burning predominantly in East Gippsland and the alpine region.
Residents of those areas have been told they should leave on Friday, before strong winds and temperatures above 40C forecast for some areas on Saturday.
"We have a small window of opportunity," Assistant Emergency Services Commissioner Deb Abbott told reporters on Thursday.
"It's a window of opportunity for those people to leave now and we want them to leave now.
"These fires have already caused significant damage. They have caused significant loss and our community needs to act now."
Though Saturday will bring the most bushfire risk, authorities have declared a total fire ban on Friday across East Gippsland and the Wimmera, North East and South West regions.
Temperatures are expected to peak in the high 20s and winds will be light, but that does not rule out more fire danger.
"There can be significant fire activity even when conditions are fairly light in terms of winds," Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Tom Delamotte told AAP.
The outlook comes as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Thursday there are 17 people missing in East Gippsland, none of whom are emergency services personnel.
Family members had already confirmed Buchan man Mick Roberts had died at his home.
"There are at least 17 people that at this stage we cannot account for. Their whereabouts are unknown to us," Mr Andrews told reporters at Bairnsdale.
"Whilst Victoria Police have not been through the official identification processes, it is clear that the Roberts family have identified Mr Roberts and we send our condolences to their family and the Buchan community to whom he was so well-known and very highly regarded."
Mr Andrews said some of the missing people might be safe.
"But we hold very significant fears for the welfare of anybody who is missing at this time," he said.
The military has arrived to provide relief and resources for fire victims across East Gippsland, as well as evacuating people from Mallacoota.
About 24 communities are isolated and reaching them to deliver supplies has been difficult.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government was offering any assistance requested.
"Our task has been to fully support and provide whatever assistance is necessary through all the various agencies of the Commonwealth," he told reporters in Sydney.
"The provision of disaster payments that have now exceeded some more than $21 million in New South Wales alone and we expect more of that to continue in Victoria as the full devastation of the fires there becomes more evident."
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it is too early to say what the full financial cost of the fires will be to taxpayers, but stressed that figure is not the government's main focus.
"It's about the human cost of these tragic fires," he told reporters in Melbourne.
He added the prime minister will visit Victoria in coming days.
At 6.30pm on Thursday, warning levels for all Victorian fires were sitting no higher than a "watch and act" alert.
But smoky conditions have at times stopped flights to rescue people, deliver supplies and rotate firefighters.
Authorities are also concerned a fire at Corryong in Victoria's northeast could merge with another on NSW's southern border.
Corryong residents are being doorknocked and told to leave the region before the weekend.
A series of community meetings were being held on Thursday in Mallacoota, where 3000 to 4000 people remain stranded.
The navy will start evacuating Mallacoota on Friday morning, with about 800 people to leave.
So far the fires have burnt 784,000 hectares in Victoria.
UPDATE, 3pm: There are grave fears for 17 people missing in Victoria's massive, deadly East Gippsland bushfires.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Thursday none of the 17 people missing in the region are emergency services personnel.
The increased number comes after family members confirmed Buchan man Mick Roberts had died at his home.
"There are at least 17 people that at this stage we cannot account for. Their whereabouts are unknown to us, plus there is one person confirmed as deceased," Mr Andrews told reporters at Bairnsdale.
"Whilst Victoria Police have not been through the official identification processes, it is clear that the Roberts family have identified Mr Roberts and we send our condolences to their family and the Buchan community to whom he was so well-known and very highly regarded."
Mr Andrews did not narrow down where the missing people are thought to be in East Gippsland.
"It may be some of those people are safe but we hold very significant fears for the welfare of anybody who is missing at this time," he said.
The military has arrived to provide relief and resources for fire victims across the region, as well as evacuating people from Mallacoota.
About 24 communities are isolated and reaching them to deliver supplies has been difficult.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government was offering any assistance requested.
"Our task has been to fully support and provide whatever assistance is necessary through all the various agencies of the Commonwealth," he told reporters in Sydney.
"The provision of disaster payments that have now exceeded some more than $21 million in New South Wales alone and we expect more of that to continue in Victoria as the full devastation of the fires there becomes more evident."
All fires in Victoria are currently sitting no higher than a watch and act alert, but smoky conditions have meant flights to rescue people, deliver supplies and swap out firefighters have at times been stopped.
Firefighters are being helped on Thursday by moderate conditions, with temperatures in East Gippsland in the low to mid 20s expected to be paired with fairly light winds of up to 20 km/h.
But the mercury is forecast to creep up in the region on Friday, before reaching the 40s on Saturday, when the heat, hot winds and possible thunderstorms will increase the risk of new fires.
People in regions such as East Gippsland and the alpine areas were being urged to leave on Thursday before the conditions worsen.
"I can't stress enough, these types of conditions that we are facing again in our state ... we have existing fires, these fires are unpredictable," said Assistant Emergency Services Commissioner Deb Abbott.
"These fires have already caused significant damage. They have caused significant loss and our community needs to act now."
People near the Corryong fire in Victoria's northeast near the NSW border are being doorknocked and told to leave the region before the weekend.
A series of community meetings were being held on Thursday in Mallacoota, where 3000 to 4000 people remain stranded.
The navy will start evacuating Mallacoota at first light on Friday morning, with about 800 people to leave.
EARLIER: The effort to rescue and feed thousands of people stuck in isolated towns in Victoria's fire-ravaged east has started.
The military arrived in East Gippsland on Wednesday and Black Hawk helicopters and a navy ship are helping to get evacuees off the beach at Mallacoota.
"The naval vessel is not far away, it will land fairly soon," Premier Daniel Andrews told ABC Gippsland on Thursday.
"We think around 3000 tourists and 1000 locals are there. Not all of those will want to leave, not all can get on the vessel at one time.
"Then there's a whole lot of planning going on about where that vessel will go, it will be a long trip, potentially a 10 or 12 hour trip to take them to another port and then to provide them with all the support they will need."
Firefighter shift changes are also happening by helicopter in a Victoria-first and police shipped in supplies to Mallacoota on New Year's Day too.
A boil water notice for Mallacoota has been lifted, but people are asked to restrict to essential use only.
Supplies including satellite phones will be dropped at communities such as Cann River on Thursday.
The deadly fires have burnt through more than 766,000 hectares across Victoria.
There are 47 fires currently going statewide, mostly in East Gippsland.
Another fire straddling the NSW-Victoria border at Corryong is also threatening lives.
On Wednesday it was revealed Victoria's fires claimed a life.
Mick Roberts had not made contact with family for more than 24 hours and on Wednesday his niece Leah Parson confirmed on the East Gippsland fire season 2019-2020 Facebook page he had been found dead at his home.
Mr Andrews said Mr Roberts was one of four people missing in the Gippsland fires.
"That's the worst of all news. We do have very great news for the psyche of at least three others," Mr Andrews said.
"We do have reports of additional missing persons but I'll have more to say about that late on today once we've confirmed those numbers, but we have lost lives as part of this fire and that is a terrible tragedy."
Firefighters will be helped on Thursday by moderate conditions, with temperatures in East Gippsland in the low to mid 20s expected to be paired with fairly light winds of up to 20 km/h.
As of Thursday morning, all fires remained at a watch and act level.
The mercury is forecast to creep up in the region on Friday, before reaching the 40s on Saturday, when the heat, hot winds and possible thunderstorms will increase the risk of new fires.
So far, confirmed property losses are 24 structures at Buchan, 19 at Sarsfield, 10 at Mallacoota and up to 15 at Cudgewa.
About 24 remote communities have lost power and phone coverage.
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