Residents, tourists told to leave fire-threatened towns

A truck driver prepares to move his vehicle through a roadblock bypass on the Princes Highway near the town of Sussex Inlet. Photo: Getty Images/ Sam Mooy
A truck driver prepares to move his vehicle through a roadblock bypass on the Princes Highway near the town of Sussex Inlet. Photo: Getty Images/ Sam Mooy

People have been warned to leave fire-threatened communities in Australia's southeast as extreme weather conditions are forecast for the weekend.

The worst blazes continue to burn in Victoria's east and on the NSW south coast, where eight people have died, others are missing and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says with Saturday's fire conditions predicted to be worse than New Year's Eve, people should leave the area.

"Our message is, as soon as the roads are able to be traversed we are encouraging, particularly holidaymakers and visitors, to make their way out to safer places like Sydney," he said.

The RFS specifically advised tourists already in the area stretching south from Batemans Bay to the Victoria border to immediately leave and warned those planning to visit in the next few days to stay away, especially on Saturday.

Forecast high temperatures in excess of 40C mixed with low humidity and strong winds could see bushfires from the state's southeast up to Sydney flare.

"We all need to prepare ourselves for more challenging conditions to once again impact large areas," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

Immediate escape won't be possible for thousands of people trapped by bushfires in Victoria's East Gippsland.

Phones remain cut across much of the region and people are struggling to communicate with loved ones and get the latest information on the fire risk.

They are likely to be evacuated by air and sea as the Defence Force begins relief operations in the area following a request from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

Aircraft, including Black Hawk helicopters, were expected to commence work late on Wednesday, with other aircraft and naval vessels due in the coming days.

Civilian helicopters and boats have already begun ferrying firefighters and supplies to the isolated community of Mallacoota, near the NSW border.

The town was hit by fire on Tuesday as 4000 people sheltered on a beach amid apocalyptic scenes.

"The next few days are going to be a lot of hard work and the next few months will be a very long and steady process of helping these communities to rebuild," Mr Andrews said.

About 150 fires continue to burn in NSW and Victoria on Thursday.

Across Australia, eighteen people have died and more than 1200 homes have been destroyed in bushfires so far this fire season.

Tourists urged to leave NSW south coast

Tourists in the popular holiday region are now being urged to leave as locals and authorities brace for severe and extreme fire danger on Saturday.

"Where roads can be accessed, we will be encouraging tourists, especially, to move out of those areas whilst it's safe to do so," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Wednesday.

But she asked for patience as not all roads would be opened until trees and debris were cleared.

"Just because you can't see flames doesn't mean the road is safe to use."

The RFS warned holidaymakers on the south coast to leave before Saturday and warned those planning to travel there on the weekend to cancel their trip.

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