WHAT'S HAPPENING?
* One confirmed death - Buchan resident Mick Roberts
* Seventeen people remain missing in Gippsland
* Ten watch and act warnings in place across the state, the second highest warning level
* About 50 fires are still burning in the state
* A "very active" fire at Ensay in the Swift's Creek Valley with more blazes around Hotham and Omeo
* More than 1000 firefighters are working across the state
* There are between 3000 to 4000 people stranded in Mallacoota and they are being asked to register for navy evacuation. The plan is for 800 to be taken out by sea from 7am Friday, with more trips to follow
* Helicopters will be used for evacuations as well, when possible because of smoke
* Some firefighter shift changes are happening via helicopter
* 24 satellite phones either dropped into isolated communities or delivered later on Thursday
* The CFA is burning out areas around Clifton Creek
* Relief packages including water are arriving to remote communities
THE FALLOUT SO FAR?
* Confirmed property losses are 24 at Buchan, 19 at Sarsfield, 10 at Mallacoota and 15 at Cudgewa, but more losses are expected to be confirmed
* Structures lost include the Clifton Creek Primary School, which the state government has vowed to rebuild. Temporary facilities will be in place for the start of term one
* More than 766,000 hectares of land has been burnt out in East Gippsland
* About 24 remote communities have lost power and phone coverage
* A boil water notice for Mallacoota has been lifted, but people are asked to restrict to essential use
WHAT'S NEXT?
* With the worsening conditions forecast in East Gippsland and Alpine areas from Friday night into Saturday, residents are being ask to think about leaving now if they can
* It could take days or even weeks to entirely evacuate Mallacoota because of the logistical challenges
* Moderate conditions on Thursday are helping firefighters, with temperatures in the low to mid 20s and fairly light winds
* 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
Australian Associated Press
