I have posted this straight from 9msn, as a media record of the events as they unfold. The article was written by Katie Bradford.
Victoria has mobilised thousands of firefighters under an unprecedented plan to protect the state from gale-force winds and fire conditions almost as bad as Black Saturday.
Although temperatures are forecast to reach a high of just 32 degrees on Tuesday, winds of up to 150km/h are expected, compounding the extreme fire risk across the state from Monday evening.
Premier John Brumby says the weather is "unprecedented".
And although the searing hot temperatures experienced on February 7 will not be felt, authorities warn conditions will be among the worst ever seen in the state.
"The next 48 hours are really unprecedented and they are up there with the very worst," the premier said.
He said the weather would be as bad as that experienced in the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 and Black Friday in 1939, but not quite as bad as the inferno of Black Saturday three weeks ago in which at least 210 people perished.
"We've got more people on the ground, more tankers, more resources, more people from interstate, more aerial appliances than we've ever had in the history of the state," Mr Brumby said.
More than 4,000 firefighters, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers and other personnel will be out in force.
Strong wind gusts are expected to rip through some high altitude areas that have already been ravaged by fire, Mr Brumby said.
Following controversy over the lack of early warning systems before the February 7 fires, Victoria Police have arranged for text messages warning of the extreme weather conditions to be sent out to five million mobile phones.
People are being told to put their fire plans in place straight away and if they are going to leave, to go on Monday evening.
Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin said the warnings were not a case of "crying wolf".
"This is a very genuine concern about the weather tonight and tomorrow, both from a fire perspective and from a storm perspective," Mr Esplin told reporters.
He said emergency service had done everything they could to be prepared, but the community also needed to step up.
"We need people to be aware, prepared and alert," he said.
Metropolitan areas were also at risk, not just rural areas, authorities stressed.
The winds may also cause power blackouts throughout the state and fallen trees and other debris could create hazards.
Conditions could be so extreme that firefighters could be moved off the frontline early, and firefighting aircraft may not be able to fly, said Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) chief officer Ewan Waller.
Police and armed forces will suspend their search for people still missing since the February 7 fires, while 313 government schools, 264 childcare providers, 25 independent schools and 30 national parks will be closed.
A total fire ban is in place throughout the state on Tuesday.
Four fires continued to burn on Monday, with the giant Kilmore-Murrindindi North Complex posing the most concern, particularly to the communities of Woods Point, Jamieson, Eildon and Mt Buller.
The Kilmore-Murrindindi South, Bunyip and Wilson's Promontory blazes are also continuing to burn, but authorities warn the fire threat exists across the entire state.
Most people in the Yarra Valley town of Warburton have already left or are expected to leave on Monday evening, after living on edge for three weeks since February 7.
Wesburn resident Greg Mitchell lives about 5km from Warburton and has his bags packed and ready to go if fire strikes.
"We've got all our essentials packed ready to go," Mr Mitchell told AAP.
"A lot of people in Warby have left already and we'll leave no doubt 'cause it's going to be windy tonight."
The wind is predicted to continue on Wednesday, although some rain is expected.
Victoria Bushfires: 23 February to 4 March 2009