The captain of the CFA brigade in the small hamlet of Wairewa, east of Lakes Entrance, is feeling guilty — his home was saved when fire went through on Monday night, but 11 others were destroyed.

Key points: Six shires and four Alpine resorts are under a state-of-disaster declaration until January 9

Six shires and four Alpine resorts are under a state-of-disaster declaration until January 9 Authorities say 21 people remain unaccounted for, and two have died in Victoria's fires

Authorities say 21 people remain unaccounted for, and two have died in Victoria's fires For the latest bushfire information, visit the Vic Emergency website

Those properties were claimed by one of about 50 fires burning across Victoria, which have destroyed almost 800,000 hectares of land and prompted an unprecedented state-of-disaster declaration for much of Victoria's east.

Many fires in Wairewa were caused by falling embers — leaving a patchy pattern of burnt ground, and some houses destroyed while others remained standing.

Julian Davies, the captain of the CFA brigade at Wairewa, said it was an unforgettable experience.

"I put the call through for help … told them we were getting spot fires," Mr Davies said.

"They sent the strike team out and they sat with the community.

"It's a noise I'll never forget. It was the sound of a steam train. No-one ever wants to go through a fire like that."

The town's historic trestle bridge was destroyed in the fire. ( ABC News: Nicole Asher )

As thousands of people evacuate areas that are now in the firing line, Wairewa locals on Friday started filtering back into the farming community after sheltering in a local hall protected by firefighters.

Driving under the trestle bridge into town, black paddocks unfold on either side of the road, dotted with the crumpled remains of burnt houses.

"The families are doing pretty tough. It's smashed everyone," Mr Davies said.

Mr Davies's father, Victor Davies, is a former CFA captain, and said a fire like that is something one sees only once in a lifetime.

"It's the first major fire that's been in here," he said.

"There's been a few little spots, but never anything major like this."

The burnt-out remains of a fence destroyed by fire in Wairewa. ( ABC News: Nicole Asher )

With 21 people still missing in East Gippsland, he urged everyone to get out before conditions deteriorated again.

"We could lose more housing," he said.

"People [should] evacuate to a place where hopefully there'll be some trucks there to help."

It's CFA strategy to embed strike teams in vulnerable communities like Wairewa. ( ABC News: Nicole Asher )

Homes destroyed in Buchan, but pub saved

In places like nearby Buchan, where one man is dead and 24 homes have been destroyed, firefighters had to retreat into the town centre as the flames became more ferocious.

It meant that the community members who gathered there were protected, but homes burned.

The fire destroyed 24 properties at Buchan. ( ABC News: Nicole Asher )

"Our aim was to protect lives so we said to people, 'Go into town, we'll protect the towns'," CFA chief officer Steve Warrington said.

"We had a bit of time, we embedded strike teams in these towns to protect towns and communities but … when the fires got too bad we pulled teams back to protect them."

The town is surrounded by burnt forest and paddocks, but key infrastructure was saved — including the Buchan Hotel, which was rebuilt by the community after it was burnt to the ground in 2014.

Last chance to leave Cann River

A convoy of evacuees left Cann River around 2:00pm on Friday. It was the last chance to get out of town.

Those who stayed were warned emergency services may not be able to help them.

A strike team arrived in Cann River on Wednesday ahead of worsening weekend conditions. ( Facebook: Joe Stephens )

Cann River, which is located on the Princes Highway about halfway between Orbost and Mallacoota, was isolated and lost communications when the fire went through earlier this week.

About 100 residents had to shelter in a school at the height of the emergency.

Joe Stephens decided not to join the convoy heading out of town this time.

He's staying on his property outside of town.

"It's been a cold start to the day, [it's] still only 16C at lunch time," he said on Friday.

"First we were fogged in with a bit of smoke, now we are smoked in, cannot see more than 30 metres."

Residents sheltered in the local school at the height of the emergency. ( Supplied: Joe Stephens )

Mr Stephens plans to head into Cann River to sleep but knows he will not be allowed to return to his home.

"I have brought the cows and sheep up around the house where the grass is shorter," he said.

"With the Government's [emergency] declaration, I will not be able to return once I leave."