Three people missing as bushfire carnage shreds regions

Three people are missing and much property has been destroyed in central Victoria as out-of-control bushfires escalate in catastrophically hot and windy conditions.

There are dozens of fires across the state; Conditions have been described as one of the most dangerous wildfire days the state has seen in years, including an alarming blaze around the town of Longwood that threatened thousands of residents.

A massive heatwave has ravaged southeast Australia; Temperatures are expected to rise to 43°C in Melbourne and 47°C in inland Victoria on Friday.

Property was lost in Longwood and the nearby town of Ruffy, including a destroyed school, while a separate fire in the border town of Walwa heavily damaged a pine tree plantation.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said three people, including a child, who had been advised to take shelter at their property in Longwood East, were missing.

“The risks were so high that they had to seek refuge, it was too late to leave,” he said.

“That afternoon, the same fire department representatives arrived to find their home completely destroyed.”‘

Wind gusts of up to 90 km/h and the risk of severe storms can cause erratic fire behavior.

“Any fire in our environment today will be uncontrollable, unpredictable and moving very quickly,” Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said.

“If you’re in a bushfire-prone area… if you haven’t left yet, if you don’t leave now, it could result in the loss of your life.”

About 40 fires were reported Friday morning; It was still active at 10.30am on the 30th.

Ruffy-based Country Fire Authority captain George Noye gave a grim assessment of his town, where 10 properties, including a school, were destroyed.

He said one of the crew members was in hospital with third-degree burns to his hands.

“It’s like a bomb went off. We were crushed by the fire points,” Mr Noye told AAP.

Fire crews continue to respond to two large out-of-control fires; The Longwood fire has burned more than 35,000 hectares, while flames near Walwa and Mount Lawson on the Victoria-NSW border have burned more than 17,000 hectares.

The Walwa and Mount Lawson fire is not expected to be under control for weeks.

30 new fires broke out overnight after at least 10,000 lightning strikes in the east of the state.

Strong winds can also cause the firefighting air fleet to be grounded.

“There is a very real possibility that the aircraft will not be able to fly at some point,” CFA chief Jason Heffernan said.

“If a fire breaks out and we see it spread in the direction it’s going, we can expect them to become uncontrollable. They can’t be stopped.”

Thousands of people across the state, including fire-affected areas, are without power.

Premier Jacinta Allan implored Victorians to follow emergency advice and evacuate properties where necessary.

“Today represents one of the most dangerous fire days this state has experienced in years,” he said.