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A bushfire burning west of Ballarat in Victoria has claimed three homes and more could follow as firefighters spend another day trying to control the blaze.
The number of homes lost to a major bushfire in western Victoria has risen to three as firefighters try to stop its spread.
The National Fire Authority (CFA) confirmed on Saturday that the fire west of Ballarat, which spans more than 15 hectares, has also claimed sheds and other outbuildings.
The CFA said the fire is moving north toward Elmhurst and the Amphitheater. These suburbs are about 70 kilometers northwest of Ballarat.
The forecast high temperature for Elmhurst on Saturday is 28°C.
The National Fire Authority (CFA) confirmed on Saturday that the fire west of Ballarat, which spans more than 15 hectares, has also claimed sheds and other outbuildings.
Earlier in the week, people in surrounding areas were asked to leave their homes immediately. They have been asked not to return until the CFA says it is safe to do so.
These suburbs include Avoca, Bayindeen, Chute, Elmhurst, Mount Lonarch and surrounding areas, Main Lead, Raglan, Middle Creek, Waterloo, Glenlofty, Glenpatrick, Glenshee, Green Hill Creek, Nowhere Creek, Amphitheatre, Crowlands, Eversley, Landsborough, Percydale and Warrenmang. .
About 500 firefighters are expected to attend the blaze on Saturday, along with water bombing planes.
Assessment teams are surveying the damage but can only do so once it is safe to enter the areas.
Road closures have been put in place to prevent motorists from detouring towards the fire scene. These include Pyrenees Highway, Beaufort-Lexton Rd, Lexton-Ararat Rd and Main Lead Rd.
About 500 firefighters are expected to tackle the blaze on Saturday, along with water bombing planes.
Conditions are expected to improve Saturday through Monday, but warm again on Tuesday.
Wednesday has been described as a potential “peak” day as the mercury is forecast to rise above 40C again.
Six schools were closed or relocated Friday and 1,365 electric customers were without power.
Nearly 60 hospitalized patients and residents of nursing homes near the fire have been transferred to other facilities.
Evacuees have been directed to relief centers in Ararat, Maryborough and Wendouree in Ballarat.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
The CFA said the fire is moving north toward Elmhurst and the Amphitheater. These suburbs are about 70 km northwest of Ballarat.