Defence force and Navy called to Mallacoota amid bushfire crisis

More than a thousand firefighters are continuing to battle blazes in East Gippsland, as stranded residents in Mallacoota await the arrival of two Navy ships carrying supplies.

Bushfires in East Gippsland are continuing to burn as some residents sift through the ruins of their properties while others await rescue.

Almost 700,000 ha of land has been burnt in East Gippsland's devastating bushfires. 

Forty-seven fires are still actively burning, with more than a thousand firefighters working day and night to contain the blazes. 

A total of 325 fires started in the 24 hours prior to 2pm yesterday. 

Extra firefighters were sent to Cann River overnight to support the community trapped by fire. 

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Two Navy ships are due to arrive in Mallacoota this morning, bringing supplies and a medical team to the coastal town where thousands of residents and holidaymakers are stranded.

Apocalyptic images have emerged of the destruction wrought by bushfires devastating eastern and northeastern Victoria, as the first victim of the disaster was confirmed.

Great-grandfather Mick Roberts, 67 — known to Buchan locals as a larrikin “legend” of the town — was on Wednesday found by his nephew in the burnt-out home he refused to leave.

There are fears the death toll in Victoria could climb in coming days.

Emergency authorities on Wednesday night listed four people as missing, while seven were confirmed dead in New South Wales.

More than 45 fires are still burning in East Gippsland and in the state’s northeast around Corryong, testing more than 1000 firefighters on the front line.

Three of the East Gippsland blazes have combined to form one massive firefront 150km wide.

A huge relief operation has begun, with the sick and the frail among the first people flown out of Mallacoota on Wednesday by military helicopters.

That fire-ravaged tourist town and nearby Genoa, both in the far east near the NSW border, remained isolated on Wednesday night, ­although supplies had started to arrive by sea and air.

Communities at risk are ­bracing for a new heatwave. ­

Corryong is expected to reach 36C, 39C and 42C in the next three days.

HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore off the coast of Mallacoota at 8am Thursday.

A convoy of fire trucks at Corryong. Picture: Tony Gough

A convoy of vehicles exits Corryong to escape the fires. Picture: Tony Gough

A Mallacoota local in front of a destroyed house on Bastion Point Road. Picture: David Caird

Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield, Victoria. Picture: Jason Edwards

Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield, Victoria. PIcture: Jason Edwards

A young girl looks at the burnt body of dead kangaroo while walking her dog in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird

A young girl walks past burning cable spools in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird

Many fires remain out of control. Picture: Air Attack/ Victorian State Government

A fire is alarmingly close to a home. Picture: Air Attack/ Victorian State Government

View of fires from Bairnsdale rail bridge Picture: JoshThorpe/Facebook

The fire edges closer to a property. Picture: Air Attack/ Victorian State Government

The fire front lights the evening sky. Picture: Air Attack/ Victorian State Government

View of fires from Bairnsdale rail bridge Picture: JoshThorpe

Dry conditions have fuel the fire. Picture: Air Attack/ Victorian State Government

Four people remain missing

 

A waterbomb attempts to contain the fire.

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Premier Daniel Andrews visited Sarsfield on Wednesday and comforted shocked survivors, including Jilly and Mel Brown, who lost their historic home.

Mr Andrews said the fires had caused significant property and livestock losses.

More than 500,000ha have been burnt.

The blazes could last for weeks, officials have warned.

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@IanRoyall

WATCH & ACT - Downgraded from Emergency Warning - Mallacoota Area.
More info: https://t.co/TmPnyZUcZL pic.twitter.com/aMY1d8Ut9s

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 1, 2020

Originally published as Defence force and Navy called to Mallacoota amid bushfire crisis