Out of control wildfires are raging in different corners of the country and evacuation warnings have been issued for more cities in what is shaping up to be a difficult emergency season ahead.
A rapidly growing fire in Victoria’s Grampians National Park burned through 28,000 hectares on Saturday morning despite firefighters’ best efforts to battle the blaze overnight.
Residents in the nearby towns of Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek, Grampians Junction and Halls Gap have been asked to evacuate immediately.
“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” VicEmergency said.
A help center for evacuated residents has been opened at the Alexandra Oval Community Center in Ararat.
Emergency services said firefighters were able to slow the spread of the fire, but after tripling in size overnight, authorities have warned it will not be contained for weeks.
Residents northwest of Melbourne in Bullengarook in the Macedonia region have also been issued an emergency evacuation warning in light of an out-of-control fire burning north of Coffeys Road.
Authorities have warned that going out after 2:30 p.m. would be considered potentially fatal.
A rapidly growing fire in Victoria’s Grampians National Park burned through 28,000 hectares on Saturday morning (pictured, firefighters at the scene)
Emergency services said firefighters were able to slow the spread of the fire, but after tripling in size overnight, authorities have warned it will not be contained for weeks.
The uncontrolled forest fire (pictured) continues despite the efforts of firefighters.
“After 2:30 on Saturday, December 21, it may be too late to leave,” the national fire authority said.
Coffeys Road and Waterloo Flat Road remain closed while an evacuation center is set up at Kyneton Racecourse at 44 Campaspe Place.
Emergency warnings are also in place for residents of The Gurdies in South Gippsland.
Firefighters in Western Australia and New South Wales have brought dozens of fires under control in recent days, but temperatures in the 30s and 40s are expected to hit the west coast over the weekend before moving east.
Elevated fire dangers are forecast for southern WA and dry storms are possible in western parts.
Heatwave conditions also persist in the state’s mid-west, affecting Mingenew and Coral Bay, as well as the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
Above average temperatures are forecast for summer 2024-25 in many parts of the country, according to long-range forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, underlining a grim outlook for emergency services.
With high temperatures expected to persist until Christmas, the Victorian Country Fire Authority has urged people to plan ahead.
Residents in the nearby towns of Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek, Grampians Junction and Halls Gap have been asked to evacuate immediately.
“We know people have a lot to think about this holiday season, but taking a few minutes to plan and prepare could save the lives of you and your loved ones,” said Fire Chief Jason Heffernan.
“On hot, dry, windy days, have a backup place to visit that is not in a high wildfire risk area.”