Bright deserted after concerns raised about possibility of mega fire
One of Victoria’s most popular tourist destinations - picturesque Bright - resembles a ghost town as thousands flee today’s catastrophic conditions. Three fires joined overnight to create a 6000ha mega blaze.
VIC News
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Alpine tourist Mecca Bright is all but closed as local residents bunker down for a tense day as fire conditions intensify.
A wind change this afternoon will create an extra challenge for firefighters as it brings gusts up to 80km/h to Mt Hotham and other alpine areas.
Tens of thousands of people have evacuated Victoria’s worst hit bushfire regions in the past 24 hours.
FOR ROLLING COVERAGE OF THE BUSHFIRE CRISIS ON SATURDAY - INCLUDING LIVE NEWS STREAM - CLICK HERE
Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning said a number of fires started converging overnight.
The largest is in the Omeo region near the Alpine National Park.
Three fires joined there overnight to create a 6000 hectare fire.
The large inferno is now moving toward Cobungra, and could flare up as conditions worsen throughout the day.
While the conditions were mild this morning, the DELWP Gippsland warned against complacency.
“As the day progresses, and weather heats up – the risk will increase right across the region,” the DELWP Gippsland said.
“The risk is still real in this area and the community needs to stay very much aware of conditions and relevant warnings.
“Further wind and weather changes are expected in the region by mid-afternoon.”
Campers left the area in droves on Thursday.
Emergency Management Commission Andrew Crisp said there was every chance the Corryong and NSW bushfires could merge into a mega blaze.
“If you are in that area you should be getting out,” he said.
“This is very much about shared responsibility.”
Bright’s neighbouring townships of Freeburgh, Harrietville, Smoko, Wandiligong were told to evacuate about 3.30pm on Friday, because there were multiple out-of-control bushfires burning in the Abbeyard area.
Temperatures in Albury are tipped to soar as high as 46C today as thousands of Victorians face a dangerous day fleeing and managing the state’s bushfire crisis.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Richard Russell said extreme weather and risks of dry lightning were approaching eastern Victoria, before the potential for rain across parts of the state.
A wind change later in the day also has the potential to create dangerous new fire fronts, with fears multiple fires will combine together.
Most visitors who stayed in Bright on Thursday night began hitting the roads from 5am to get out of the area, concerned roads would be closed later on Friday.
Cafes and shops in the normally bustling streets did not open in the morning, while the streets were largely deserted.
Even in the centre of town one home already had a sprinkler going on top of its roof, though there were no immediate warnings.
Bright’s two supermarkets remained open for residents stocking up on supplies, but there were few other signs of life in the town other than cars passing through from areas deeper in the Alpine National Park.
FOR ROLLING COVERAGE OF THE BUSHFIRE CRISIS ON SATURDAY - INCLUDING LIVE NEWS STREAM - CLICK HERE