‘Blood red skies’: Bushfires continue ripping through western Victoria

Residents in parts of Victoria have been told they need to “act immediately to survive” as two out-of-control bushfires continue tearing through the state.

Residents in Victoria’s west have been urged to watch and act as bushfires continue raging through parts of the state, with emergency services warning it may be too late to leave some areas.

More than 70 grass and scrub fires started across Victoria’s private lands and approximately 80 in public parks, amid the hot and dry temperature, further driven by strong windy conditions.

“Many of the fires are believed to have started from dry lightning as thunderstorms moved across the state,” a VicEmergency spokesman told NewsWire.

About 10,000 lightning strikes hit the state overnight, resulting in multiple ignitions and fires.

Six of these fires are yet to be under control, emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent said on Tuesday afternoon.

A warning issued Dimboola and Wail just before 6am on Tuesday urged residents to take shelter immediately, as an out-of-control bushfire at Little Desert National Park travelled in an easterly direction.

This bushfire has since been downgraded to an act and watch warning for residents in Lawloit, Kinimakatka, Winiam, Gerang Gerung, Dimboola west of the Wimmera River, Duchembegarra and Nurcoung.

As of Tuesday morning, the raging bushfire has burned through 63,064ha in Little Desert National Park and is rapidly spreading.

In comparison, the fire in the Grampians, which burned for 21 days in December burnt through 76,000ha.

Residents in Dimboola and Wail have been told it is too late for them to safely evacuate. Picture: Vic Emergency

Multiple evacuations took place in the surrounding areas, although an aged care facility and a medical centre were unable to get everyone out on time and were advised to seek shelter.

Unfortunately, the Little Desert Nature Lodge, best known as a wedding venue, was destroyed in the fire.

Marty Colbert, a farmer from Nhill told the Weekly Times the sky was “blood red for miles” shortly after midnight.

“We were losing the battle, any time we tried to put it out, we ran out of water, had to leave and fill up on water,” Mr Colbert said.

The fire is currently burning along the northern edge of the Little Desert National Park and moving in a northerly direction towards private properties.

“There is also some fire activity along the southern edge that may be generating some smoke,” an online update from VicEmergency reads.

The warning told residents they must “monitor conditions and be ready to act”.

“Firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now, but the situation can change at any time,” the SES website read.

“You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.”

The bushfires in the Grampians have become severe. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

A second bushfire is also burning at the Little Desert National Park, moving in a northerly direction towards Dimboola.

A warning was issued before 7am Tuesday for residents in Arkona, Dahlen, Dart Dart, Kiata East, Mitre, Murra Warra, Natimuk, Salisbury, and Vectis East as the fire and smoke overwhelm the area.

As the fire spreads, the Western Highway has been closed from Dimboola in multiple directions, including Nhill, Horsham and Cannum.

“If you are told to leave now, don’t wait,” the VicEmergency spokesman told NewsWire.

“If you are not prepared to stay, leaving now is the safest option.

“Conditions may change and get worse very quickly.

“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”

The bushfires have continued raging through the Grampians. Picture: NewsWire / David Crosling

Residents of Dimboola have been issued a warning to evacuate immediately. There is a bushfire in the Little Desert National Park that is not yet under control. Picture: Facebook

Evacuation orders were earlier issued for residents in the Grampians, Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley, as four new bushfires began raging in the area.

The initial “not safe to return” warning was issued on Tuesday morning for residents in the Grampians and Strachans areas, but has since been downgraded to a “watch and act” warning

The bushfire is not yet under control and travelling from Strachans in a northerly direction towards Mt Thackeray.

While Halls Gap and the surrounding towns remain open, VicEmergency warned visitors “areas affected by fire are closed as they remain extremely dangerous”.

Residents in Strachans, Victoria Point and Victoria Valley have been urged to “leave immediately”, as conditions could quickly become “too dangerous”.

A watch and act warning has been issued for Brimpaen, Laharum, Wartook, and Zumsteins, 9km north of Halls Gap.

Those fleeing the area have also been cautioned of trees, which can be “extremely dangerous during a bushfire or high winds”.

“Do not stand, park or travel in areas of fire-affected trees,” the VicEmergency website said.

Residents have been ordered to leave the area. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

The new bushfires come nearly a month after the enormous bushfires that ripped through the Grampians National Park, caused by dry lightning and reducing 422km and more than 76,000 hectares of the national park to ash.

The devastating fires claimed the lives of many livestock, including 775 sheep, one horse, beef cattle and 1285 beehives.

The blazes also destroyed four residential properties in Moyston and Mafeking and 40 outbuildings in Moyston, Willaura, Willaura North, Mafeking, Pomonal, Glenthompson and Mirranatwa.

High fire danger ratings have been issued for all of Victoria except South and West Gippsland and East Gippsland, where a moderate rating has been issued.

Originally published as ‘Blood red skies’: Bushfires continue ripping through western Victoria