More evacuation orders have been issued to Victorians overnight as massive blazes continue to ravage the state's east.
People in Dandongadale, Freeburgh, Wandiligong and surrounding areas in northeast Victoria were advised to leave overnight as a southwest wind change fanned bushfire flames.
Dozens of fires were burning in Victoria as dawn brokee on Sunday, 11 of which were subject to emergency warning, the highest alert level.
Six people remain missing in East Gippsland blazes, on top of two confirmed dead.
Remains of a burnt-out property that was impacted by a blaze in late December is seen at Bruthen South, Victoria. Source: AAP
More than 900,000 hectares of land has been overrun by flames, with about 110 properties and 220 outbuildings razed so far.
Temperatures soared to the early and mid-40s in parts of East Gippsland and northeast Victoria on Saturday, with total fire bans in place for a swag of weather districts.
More than 70 new fires were sparked in the 24 hours to 6pm on Saturday.
Cooler conditions, lighter winds and a lack of lightning on Sunday are expected to bring some relief to firefighters.
Remains of a burnt-out property that was impacted by a blaze in late December is seen at Bruthen South, Victoria. Source: AAP
The mercury is forecast to peak in the early 20s in East Gippsland, with rainfall of about 20ml expected later in the day.
In the northeast, temperatures could hit the late 20s in some parts, with some rainfall - albeit it likely less than 5ml - expected.
"That will help subdue the fire activity," Bureau of meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Stewart told AAP.
Despite the shift, Premier Daniel Andrews has urged people to heed warnings and not be complacent.
"Lives can be lost if people don't follow the instructions they're given," he told reporters.
The towns of Omeo and Swifts Creek in East Gippsland, as well as Corryong near the NSW border, are among those to have been under threat.
About 50 people were evacuated from Omeo by Chinook helicopters on Saturday but about 300 chose to stay in the township, Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville confirmed.
The evacuees were flown to Bairnsdale on the western side of the fires, before being transported to Sale.
In Gippsland, firefighters have been working to save critical infrastructure and the Country Fire Authority's Andy Gillham said they were "in for the long haul."
"This is a marathon event and we expect to be busy managing these fires for at least the next eight weeks."
The fires have already killed Buchan man Mick Roberts and Maramingo Creek man Fred Becker.
About 70 per cent of the 100,000 population of the fire-impacted East Gippsland have fled.
Major highways have been closed for days, phone and powerlines are down, and residents have been told not to drink tap water amid contamination fears.
After the sky turned red, then black at Mallacoota on Tuesday, people from the town are reporting the same thing has happened on Saturday.
Naval vessels plan to re-stock and return to the township to evacuate more people.
About 500 people are at a relief centre in Bairnsdale and there is an overflow centre at the local racecourse.
A state of emergency remains in place for Victoria throughout next week.
