Key Takeaways
- A "catastrophic" fire warning is in place for parts of Victoria, with severe winds and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius forecast.
- Two out-of-control bushfires continue to spread, with emergency warnings in place for numerous communities.
- A total fire ban has been declared for the state, with all regions having either a catastrophic or extreme bushfire rating.
- Dozens of towns surrounding the fires have been told to evacuate, with authorities predicting dry lightning strikes may cause additional blazes.
- The CFA has warned that conditions are not safe for tourists to be in bushland, with radiant heat posing a significant threat to life.
Introduction to the Crisis
A "catastrophic" fire warning has been issued for parts of Victoria, with authorities warning of "dangerous" conditions to come. The Northern Country, North Central, Wimmera, and South West districts have been given the highest fire risk rating, while the rest of the state has an "extreme" risk rating. This means that all regions of Victoria are at risk of bushfires, with the potential for significant damage and loss of life. The warning comes as two out-of-control bushfires continue to spread, with emergency warnings in place for numerous communities.
The Current Situation
The bushfire near Longwood in central Victoria has burned through nearly 30,000 hectares, with homes in the small town of Ruffy feared to have been lost. Emergency warnings are also in place for a bushfire burning in north-east Victoria in the Mt Lawson National Park, near Walwa. Dozens of towns surrounding these fires have been told to evacuate, as authorities predict dry lightning strikes may cause additional blazes in other parts of the state. The CFA has warned that lightning has already caused multiple fires north of Orbost in East Gippsland, with an advice warning in place for surrounding towns.
Weather Conditions
The forecast for the next 24 hours is looking ominous, with severe winds and temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius expected across large areas of the state. Forest Fire Management deputy incident controller Dave Jensen has warned that forecast thunderstorms are expected to increase the potential for dry lightning, which could result in further ignitions. These conditions are similar to those seen during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, which were some of the most severe in Australian history. The combination of hot temperatures, dry lightning, and strong winds makes for a perfect storm of bushfire conditions.
Safety Warnings
Forest Fire Management chief fire officer Chris Hardman has urged tourists to stay away from bushland, warning that it is not safe to be in these areas. "It is just too dangerous," he said. "It is not survivable, radiant heat kills … you will be killed before the fire gets to you in these conditions." The CFA has also warned that satellite navigation should not be trusted, and motorists should avoid the area altogether. "Please don’t try to find short cuts because you could end up driving straight into a fire front," said Chris Miller from the Department of Transport.
Preparations and Closures
A number of popular tourist spots along the 240-kilometre stretch of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road have closed for the day, and all V/Line and coach services operating in catastrophic fire regions have been cancelled. The Hume Freeway remains closed in both directions between Seymour and Violet Town, near where the Longwood fire is burning. Victorian electricity distributor Powercor has strongly urged customers to plan ahead for the extreme weather, warning that the forecast winds and lightning could damage electricity assets. "Tomorrow’s conditions are among the most severe we’ve faced in a long time. We’re asking everyone to act now — charge devices, prepare backup plans and make sure you’re ready," said Powercor network emergency manager Steve Rigoni.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The situation in Victoria is grave, with catastrophic bushfire conditions forecast for the next 24 hours. Authorities are warning of the potential for significant damage and loss of life, and are urging everyone to take necessary precautions. The CFA has warned that conditions are not safe for tourists to be in bushland, and motorists should avoid the area altogether. With the potential for dry lightning strikes and further ignitions, it is essential that everyone stays informed and up-to-date with the latest fire warnings and safety advice. For more information on the latest fire warnings for Victoria, visit the VicEmergency website.
