Fires evoke Black Saturday nightmares for survivors

Leaving in darkness, residents saying goodbye to their homes not knowing if they will still be there at light.

It's an all too familiar and paralysing feeling for many who survived the deadly Black Saturday fires in 2009.

Georgie Wells felt lost on Friday as the sky turned orange behind her fully packed car in the regional town of Yea.

She and her neighbours were told to leave immediately.

Ms Wells headed for sanctuary in Seymour with her daughter and pup, not wanting to take any chances.

The Yea resident knows all too well how fast a fire can change and how it can devastate lives.

"We packed a few bags, the dog and a box of documents. That's what we did last time," she said.

"And that's all we had left. I'm praying that it doesn't happen again because I just don't know how to get through that."

Conditions were catastrophic on Friday, with smoke blanketing the air and sirens heard in the distance.

"I actually can't believe it's happening again," Ms Wells said.

"It's worse because of the wind factor. It makes everything unpredictable."

The feeling of unease echoes through her community.

Jan Newton, who lives in nearby Strath Creek, agreed that leaving her home Friday morning brought the nightmares of Black Saturday flooding back.

A staggering 173 people were killed in Victoria that February day in 2009.

"Looking at the house, you look at it and think I've lived here for 50 years, and I've gone through five bushfires," Ms Newton said.

"I'm praying my luck hasn't run out.

"I'm dreading going home and I am praying that everything turns out alright for everybody."

Ms Newton spoke from an evacuation centre in Seymour, about 30 minutes' drive southwest of Longwood.

Despite the risks of living in an area where bushfires can be rampant, she wouldn't change a thing.

"I'm a tough lady," she said.

The long-time resident laughed as she sat with friend Patricia Thomas, who also made the difficult decision to leave alongside her dog.

"We are going to stay here if the fire's still going," Ms Thomas said.

"But at least we've got some really lovely people around, they've been marvellous."

Longwood residents, where the fire first sparked, remained on edge on Friday as smoke continued to fill the air, the sun glowed red and visibility dulled.

One homeowner told AAP they had stayed behind to defend their home as grassland burned on the opposite side of the road.

Concern, stress and hope are all that remain as hundreds of firefighters give it their all to protect homes and the community.