Bushfires in East Gippsland are continuing to burn this morning as some residents begin returning to properties and assessing damage.
Seven emergency warnings are still in place as of 7am this morning as 45 fires burn across the state, the State Control Centre said.
Six of those are burning out of control in East Gippsland.
Statewide, bushfires have swept through more than 550,000 Ha of land – the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires razed 430,000 Ha.
More than 1000 firefighters continued to battle the blazes around Mallacoota, Buchan, Bruthen, Tambo Crossing and Orbost throughout the night.
The area immediately east of Bairnsdale has been downgraded to an advice warning.
And a further 244 fires started across the state in the 24-hours until 4am today.
Residents of Lakes Entrance have woken up to a smoke haze surrounding the town and a distinct smell of fire.
Mayor of East Gippsland John White said the past few days had been “devastating” for the shire.
“The threat of further fire activity will continue with a number of communities still in the direct line of fire,” he said.
“This is a large-scale emergency and there have been major impacts on private and public infrastructure.
“It goes without saying that the emergency services who are both based here in East Gippsland and the many hundreds of those who have been commandeered to assist have done a magnificent job.
“We have also seen incredible efforts from residents who stayed to defend their own properties and other infrastructure.
“These efforts, combined with excellent preparation, have meant less destruction than there could have been.
“Our community is resilient. This will test us but together we will get through this emergency and recover.”
Defence force helicopters and the Navy are being brought in to help tackle Victoria’s bushfire crisis amid serious fears on Tuesday night for four people missing in East Gippsland.
The state’s biggest inferno since Black Saturday has prompted emergency authorities to call for military support.
The Australian Defence Force is mobilising aircraft and ships to provide vital supplies for stranded residents and holiday-makers, as well as evacuate those trapped by the bushfires.
The navy will send two vessels to coastal towns while army engineers are also on their way to assist.
The move comes as more than 1000 weary firefighters continued to tackle 20 major blazes on Tuesday night.
As Victorians grappled with the escalating disaster:
• A bushfireResponse and Recovery Taskforce was established by the state government to support communities and help them rebuild;
• Firelate Tuesday surrounded Corryong where power, water and communications had been cut off;
• About 4000 people sheltered on the Mallacoota waterfront in hot and smoky conditions, bursting into cheers when a midafternoon wind change eased the immediate danger. Several homes in the town were lost;
• Aerialsurveillance identified the destruction of 24 structures in Buchan and 19 in Sarsfield, but fears were growing for the welfare of some residents. In Clifton Creek, the primary school and at least four houses were destroyed. Further property damage is expected to be significant;
• The total area burnt by the fires statewide passed 400,000 hectares, compared to 450,000 hectares of land scorched on Black Saturday in February 2009; and
• The Princes Highway has been reopened between Bairnsdale and Lake Tyers Beach Road;
• Lightningstrikes caused more than 15 new fires in the Jameson-Howqua region, triggering two “watch and act” warnings.
No details were available on the four missing people or their region.
Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the crisis was far from over and authorities were bracing for the next hot day on Saturday, when temperatures were expected to reach the mid-30s and possibly above 40C in the northeast.
Mr Crisp paid tribute to the hard work of not just firefighters, but police, ambulance, state emergency service staff, relief centre workers and everyone involved in bushfire operations. He also cited an example of goodwill in Mallacoota, where doctors and nurses on holiday had decided to stay behind to offer medical help where needed.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BUSHFIRES
THOUSANDS FLOOD MALLACOOTA BEACH AS FIRES RAZE HOMES
CLIFTON CREEK COMMUNITY DEVASTATED BY LOSS OF SCHOOL
The military response was agreed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, ADF chiefs and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
Transport ship HMAS Choules and training vessel MV Sycamore will sail to East Gippsland, along with five helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft.
Senator Reynolds said a joint taskforce had been established with army personnel and liaison officers. It will be run by the Victorian-based Army 4th Brigade.
The aircraft will focus mostly on delivering supplies rather than a large-scale evacuation.
HMAS Choules was due to leave Sydney on Tuesday night and expected to arrive at Mallacoota on Friday.
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