The Australian navy has begun efforts to evacuate hundreds of people trapped in a fire-ravaged town ahead of more dangerous weather this weekend.
Around 800 people trapped in the town of Mallacoota in the state of Victoria are expected to be rescued by HMAS Choules.
It comes as a state of disaster was declared in Victoria for the first time and as thousands flee parts of neighbouring New South Wales (NSW), where a state of emergency has been declared.
Since the start of the fire season in September, 18 people have been killed in the two states. After this week alone, more than 1,200 homes have been lost and 17 people are missing.
Since Monday night, some 4,000 residents and tourists have been stranded on a beach after fires cut off roads and engulfed Mallacoota.
HMAS Choules has begun an operation to evacuate hundreds of those people with the elderly, sick and women and children being taken first.
In the early morning, the first evacuees appeared at the wharf where they will be ferried to the ship in small boats.
With all roads still blocked, sea transport is the only way out of the stricken town and each round trip could take a day or more.
Forecasters are warning that temperatures will soar above 40C degrees on Saturday, bringing a return of wild winds.
"It is forecast we will see dry thunderstorms coming across the state and the potential of lightning strikes mid-to late afternoon," Andrew Crisp, emergency management commissioner for Victoria, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
He urged people in the area to leave their homes immediately and not count on luck to avoid disaster.
"This is your opportunity to get out. It is not just the fires we know. It is the new fires that might start today."
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating bushfire threat, which started at 8am local time on Friday (9pm GMT on Thursday).
In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews declared a state of disaster for six areas and resorts, including Mallacoota.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has come under attack for response to the fires.
As he arrived in Cobargo, on NSW’s southern coast, an area that has been worst affected by the unrelenting blazes, residents lashed out, telling him he “wasn’t welcome”.
“You won't be getting any votes down here, buddy,” yelled one furious man. “You’re an idiot.”
“Go on p*** off,” he added, as friends joined in, shouting “bye bye” at the PM.
Mr Morrison was forced to cut his visit short following the criticism.
Bushfires so far this season have scorched more than 4 million hectares of bushland across Australia.
