Key Takeaways:
- Australians in Victoria are warned to prepare for "property loss or worse" due to extreme heatwave conditions
- A total fire ban is in place in Victoria, with all regions given a "catastrophic" or "extreme" fire danger rating
- Temperatures are forecast to hit record highs in most states and territories, with Victoria and South Australia bracing for dangerous fire conditions
- A bushfire near Longwood, central Victoria, has burnt through nearly 36,000 hectares, with at least 20 homes destroyed
- Three people remain unaccounted for in the Longwood area, with authorities keeping an open mind about their safety
Introduction to the Heatwave
Australians in Victoria have been warned to prepare for the worst as the country faces extreme heatwave conditions. The temperatures on Friday and Saturday are forecast to hit record highs for most states and territories, with Victoria and South Australia in particular bracing for dangerous fire conditions due to strong winds and hot temperatures. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer, Jason Heffernan, has urged Victorians to be on high alert, warning that the conditions are severe and could lead to property loss or worse.
Fire Danger Ratings and Bans
A total fire ban is in place in Victoria, with all regions across the state given a "catastrophic" or "extreme" fire danger rating. This rating indicates that the conditions are perfect for fires to start and spread quickly, and that there is a high risk of property loss and injury. The fire ban is in place to prevent any further fires from starting, and to allow firefighters to focus on containing the existing fires. In the Australian Capital Territory, which includes the capital Canberra, a total fire ban was declared for the first time in six years, highlighting the severity of the heatwave conditions.
The Longwood Bushfire
A bushfire near Longwood, central Victoria, has burnt through nearly 36,000 hectares, with at least 20 homes in the small town of Ruffy destroyed. The fire has had a devastating impact on the community, with the main street of Ruffy looking like a "bomb’s gone off". The Ruffy CFA captain, George Noye, described the scene as "absolutely devastating", with properties losing everything, including livelihoods, shearing sheds, and livestock. Thankfully, no lives have been lost, but three people remain unaccounted for in the Longwood area, and authorities are keeping an open mind about their safety.
Search for Missing Persons
The search for the three missing people in the Longwood area is ongoing, with authorities working to locate them as soon as possible. Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said that the three people, two adults and a child, were spoken to by authorities yesterday, warning them to seek shelter as it was too late to evacuate. However, when fire officials returned to the property later, they found that the home had burnt down, and the three people were nowhere to be found. Hill urged people not to get ahead of themselves, and to keep an open mind about the safety of the missing people.
Other Fires and Heatwave Conditions
In addition to the Longwood bushfire, another fire near Walwa, north-east Victoria, has burned through more than 17,000 hectares. The CFA chief officer, Jason Heffernan, has urged all Victorians to be on high alert, not just those near active fires. He warned that the conditions are severe across the state, and that more fires are expected to start as the day goes on. In South Australia, local fire authorities said they had battled a number of small fires across the state overnight, and temperatures were expected to hit 46C in some areas. Sydney will see the mercury rise up to 42C on Saturday, before dropping to around 26C by Sunday.
Conclusion and Warnings
In conclusion, the heatwave conditions in Australia are severe, and Victorians are warned to prepare for the worst. The CFA chief officer, Jason Heffernan, has urged all Victorians to be on high alert, and to take necessary precautions to stay safe. The total fire ban in place in Victoria, and the catastrophic fire danger ratings, highlight the severity of the conditions. The bushfire near Longwood has had a devastating impact on the community, and the search for the three missing people is ongoing. It is essential for everyone to stay informed, and to follow the instructions of authorities to stay safe during this extreme heatwave event.