Victorians have been urged to evacuate their homes or “shelter in place” as devastating bushfires threaten large areas of the state.
A series of warnings were issued for areas surrounding the Grampians National Park on Thursday following a series of fires that have devastated more than 55,000 hectares over several days.
Emergency services have struggled to control the bushfire but reached a “critical stage” during two wind shifts forecast for Thursday afternoon.
Residents of Jallukar, Londonderry, Moyston and Rhymney were warned to “leave immediately” shortly before 7.15pm.
Similar warnings were issued for areas surrounding Mokepilly, Pomonal, Halls Gap, Willaura, Maroona and Mininera after 4pm.
“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay,” the warning says.
Stronger “shelter in place” warnings have also been issued for residents who are “in danger and need to act immediately to survive.”
Warnings are in place for residents of Kia Ora, Willaura North, Bornes Hill, Bellfield, Flat Rock Crossing, Grampians Junction, Halls Gap and Mafeking.
Residents in those areas have been urged to “shelter indoors immediately” because “it is too late to go out.”
It is recommended that anyone who cannot reach shelter find a large open field or body of water, such as a dam, lake, or in-ground pool, and do everything possible to protect themselves from the heat of the fire.
Residents of Kia Ora, Willaura North, Bornes Hill, Bellfield, Flat Rock Crossing, Grampians Junction, Halls Gap and Mafeking have been told to “seek shelter”.
Thousands of Victorians have been urged to evacuate their homes or ‘seek shelter’ as fires continue to rage through the Grampians National Park (pictured)
Residents in areas surrounding Grampian National Park, including Dunkeld, Mirranatwa, Victoria Creek, Rocky Point, Deep Lead and Black Range, have also been urged to “watch and act”.
Anyone in Bullengarook, northwest of Melbourne, was also given the same warning for a separate fire near Coffeys Road.
‘The situation can change at any time. “They should monitor conditions and be prepared to act,” the warning says.
Much of southeastern Australia is being enveloped by stifling winds creating catastrophic conditions.
Hot, dry air covers large areas of Victoria, southwestern New South Wales and much of eastern South Australia, with damaging winds fueling extreme fire danger.
The mercury was expected to reach 30 or 40 degrees across much of Victoria and inland Australia on Thursday.
Two wind changes are likely to affect the Grampians: one that will spread around 3pm and a stronger south-westerly one that will arrive around 6pm.
By mid-afternoon, Victorian State Control Center spokesman Luke Hegarty said fire crews were arriving at a “critical part” of the day.
“We expect strong and variable winds to be a concern in the coming hours,” he said.
More than 55,000 hectares have been burned as firefighters battled the fire over the past few days.
Firefighters reached a “critical stage” on Thursday as two wind shifts that occurred around 3pm and a stronger south-westerly wind that arrived around 6pm likely affected the Grampians.
Residents in areas surrounding the National Park have been asked to stay up to date with current bushfire warnings as conditions can change quickly.
Incident controller Mark Gunning said the scenario could cause fires to spread unpredictably.
“As the wind moves across the Grampian mountain ranges it will create its own conditions,” he said.
All but one region of Victoria faces extreme risk, and total fire bans have also been declared in numerous regions of South Australia.
Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said the Victorian fires in the Grampians, Bullengarook, Gurdies and Creswick remain a concern.
The out-of-control fire in the Grampians National Park has been burning for days and burning more than 55,000 hectares.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point we had residential losses,” Nugent told reporters Thursday afternoon.
Hot, dry air covers large areas of Victoria, southwestern New South Wales and much of eastern South Australia, with damaging winds fueling extreme fire danger.
The Bureau of Meteorology fears weather conditions could exacerbate the fires ravaging the Grampians.
Premier Jacinta Allan also delivered a stern message amid the state’s worst conditions since the Black Summer of 2019.
‘Today is a total fire ban day across Victoria. Don’t be stupid. “You can’t light a fire,” he said on social media.
Halls Gap Zoo has begun evacuating animals to Werribee Zoo with sprinklers keeping the remaining ones cool.
Emergency assistance with help center management, psychological first aid and financial advice, as well as evacuations, clearing and road diversions is available for Ararat Rural Council, Macedon Ranges, Northern Grampians and Southern Grampians Shires.
Dean Narramore, senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, feared the expected strong, hot and dry winds could take hold in the Grampians.
“Any fire will be uncontrollable and uncontainable under these conditions,” he said.
As a cold shift hits Victoria on Thursday night, hot and dry conditions will reach central northeastern New South Wales, bringing extreme danger on Friday.
Complete fire bans have been declared in the Hunter, Greater Sydney, North Western and Northern Slopes regions.