HMAS Choules Commander Scott Houlihan leads a liaison team to meet with community leaders in Mallacoota. "One of the unknowns we have right now is how many people want to be evacuated. The first thing we’re trying to get out of this [opening registration] is to get a number of how many want to go because that obviously drives everything for us," Commander Houlihan said. "We’re looking to put 1000 on the ship. If the number is less than 1000 then clearly everyone is going to go in that first boat. "If the number is greater than 1000, then it’s going to be a second load. It’s 16-17 hours to the closest boat port, then we’ve got to come back." Scores of people began lining up about 4pm to register to board the HMAS Choules, which arrived about 10am.

Up to 1000 people are expected to be evacuated from the remote coastal town in East Gippsland by Friday afternoon, though it has yet to be revealed where they will be evacuated to (with both Port Welshpool and Western Port under consideration), as smoky conditions added to the complexity of rescue efforts and meant those stranded could not be flown out. People are expected to be mustered to board the ship from 8am on Friday, before it leaves in the afternoon, although a departure time is yet to be confirmed. "We understand the frustration of people in Mallacoota who are anxious to leave, and the ADF and emergency services are working as quickly as possible to get them out," a state government spokeswoman said. The thousands who will be left behind face an anxious wait with temperatures in Mallacoota expected to soar into the 40s again on Saturday. Commander Houlihan noted while leaving was optional, leaving by boat was the only way out.

"We … anticipate that the Princes Highway will not be reopened for some weeks. This means … people will not be able to leave by road for some time," he said "Due to smoke conditions there will be limited relocation via air assets. We will be prioritising vulnerable people only for relocation via air. Our priority will be to keep families together during relocation. Bottles of water are unloaded at Mallacoota on Thursday. Credit:Nine News "We are conscious of the health impacts of remaining in a high-smoke environment for extended periods of time, especially for vulnerable persons. "This is why we’ve already commenced relocation of vulnerable persons out of Mallacoota. In addition to Mallacoota we have a number of communities isolated across East Gippsland which we will need to also assist over the coming days."

Charles Livingstone is stranded in Mallacoota with his wife and 18-month-old baby, Rex. Rex has barely eaten since Tuesday - his parents think it’s due to the air quality. The family have been told that boat evacuation is too dangerous for a small child, and air evacuation may be available in the coming days. Mr Livingstone saw the destruction in full flight on Tuesday. “They told us to prepare,” he said.

“Then just at dawn the sun didn't come and it was pitch black - and that’s when it hit. “The firestorm just went through here like napalm - it actually looked like the air was on fire around us. “It was an inferno.” Supplies are unloaded at Mallacoota on Thursday. Credit:Nine News Emergency Management Victoria said HMAS Choules would make two to three trips over the coming days, with a view to evacuating all of those stranded before conditions worsen on Saturday.

A second vessel, the MV Sycamore, which can carry a helicopter, arrived off the coast of East Gippsland on Thursday, a day earlier than originally expected. About 250 Australian Defence Force personnel and contractors arrived on board the HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore, including medical staff. "Choules is also carrying humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies including fresh water, medical aid, food, mobility options and temporary shelter," the ADF said in a statement. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video "Choules and Sycamore will be able to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support, including beach recovery of isolated civilians and shore logistic support to isolated people."

The Mallacoota evacuation comes as six watch-and-act alerts remain in place across East Gippsland, where fires have led to the death of at least one person, left at least 17 people remain missing, razed dozens of homes, destroyed farms and killed animals. Fifty fires continue to rage across the state, threatening the lives of those trapped in 24 isolated communities in East Gippsland. Speaking in Bairnsdale on Thursday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he held serious fears for the 17 people missing and believes some of those unaccounted for may be stranded without access to power, or may have stayed in remote towns to defend their homes against the fires. Mick Roberts died at his Buchan property. Credit:Nine News

Mr Andrews said power remained down right across East Gippsland affecting mobile phone towers and it was hoped some of those missing people were alive but yet to make contact with authorities. The Premier noted most of the missing were residents from remote communities, and none were firefighters. Loading The first victim of Victoria's East Gippsland bushfire, great-grandfather Mick Roberts, 68, was found dead in his home in Buchan on Wednesday with patchy communications and an active fireground making it difficult to account for the other missing people. "I wouldn't want any community to think they're not a priority. Each community has a different set of circumstances with how the fire has affected them."

A spokesman for Emergency Management Victoria said impact assessment teams would begin work in several towns, including Reedy Flat, Buchan, Bruthen, Gelantipy and Sarsfield. He said these areas lost power after the fires and would remain without it for a lengthy period. Loading "It’s going to take several days to return power to these towns and could be longer depending on the extent of the damage." Milder conditions to be short-lived

While milder conditions have slowed the fire movement, 10 watch-and-act alerts remain in place across Victoria including for the Alpine National Park, Tambo Crossing, Omeo, Ensay, Biggara, Corryong, Cudgewa, Koetong, Nariel Valley, Tintaldra, Towong and Walwa. Watch and act alerts are also current for Buchan, Gelantipy, Nowa Nowa, Suggan Buggan, Sunny Point, Timbarra, W Tree, Wairewa, Wombat Creek, Wulgulmerang. But it will be a short-lived reprieve with the fire danger expected to increase.

After a hot Friday, the region is facing a windy Saturday and temperatures in the low 40s. "On Saturday north-westerly winds will bring about hot temperatures in the lows 40s," Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Rod Dixon said. "In the late afternoon a strong south-westerly wind will sweep through bringing about a late cool change." Crisis could go on for weeks

On Wednesday, Mr Andrews warned the crisis could go on for weeks. Mr Andrews said the blazes were “not like other bushfires”, where communities could begin the process of rebuilding once they had passed through and the fire was out. “This is very different to that,” he warned. “This will be an active fire and a very challenging and complex environment for weeks and therefore we have to do things differently.” Patchy communications and an active fireground made it difficult to account for the missing people.