‘Extreme’: Victoria issues dire update ahead of Boxing Day as temperatures soar

One Aussie state has issued a massive warning over “extreme” dangers over the Christmas period, amid scorching temperatures and a massive bushfire still being contained.

A major fire warning has been issued for Victoria ahead of “extreme” conditions over the Christmas period.

Residents in the majority of the state are now being urged to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare for an “increased risk” of fires over the coming days.

Existing fires in Grampians National Park have left Victorian officials on edge, with over 43,000 hectares of land burned.

Country Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan is currently considering a statewide fire ban for Boxing Day - which will be officially confirmed on Tuesday.

“The fuel is very dry. The bush is dry. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it is ready to burn,” he warned.

Victorians have been warned over the out of control Grampians fire which has burned over 43,000 hectares so far. Picture: Supplied

CFA Victoria Chief Officer Jason Heffernan is considering a statewide fire ban for Boxing Day. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

“With these sorts of winds and temperatures, it will not be unusual for power to be lost and Internet connectivity to be lost or intermittent.”

Mr Heffernan said local residents should know their emergency broadcaster station and download the VicEmergency app, not relying on one single source of information.

Victorians have been urged to decide now whether they will stay or leave, with chief fire officer Chris Hardman pleading “we don’t want anyone to die, we want everybody to come through this alive and well.”

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said the state was on high alert. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

“People don’t really know what 40-odd thousand hectares is, but it is a lot of fire on the landscape and when that weather changes on Boxing Day the fire will move and it will move rapidly.”

Several states are battling bushfires, with hot, dry and windy conditions spreading throughout Western Australia, Victoria and NSW.

As many holidaymakers are expected to hit the roads on Boxing Day, authorities have urged travellers to be prepared by downloading emergency apps ahead of time.

In Western Australia, total fire bans have been issued in Avon, Leseur, Midwest Coast, Midwest Inland, Mortlock, Swan Inland North, Swan Inland South, and Yarra Yarra, which have been classified as “extreme”.

Residents have been urged to leave as multiple bushfires continue raging across western areas of regional Victoria. Picture: Supplied

Western regions of Victoria are expected to be hit hardest by Thursday’s hot weather. Picture: CFA

There are 20 bushfires burning in NSW, which have been aided by the hot and windy conditions passing over the state, particularly in the inland and northeastern regions of the state.

The elevated fire danger warnings have been triggered by fresh and gusty northwest to southwest winds, combined with hot and dry conditions.

On Monday, a total fire ban was issued for the Northern Slopes, North Western, Greater Hunter and Greater Sydney regions, encompassing the Sydney CBD and its surrounds.

Most of Victoria has been issued a high fire danger warning on Monday morning, with residents in Mallee, Northern Country, Wimmera, North Central, North East, Central and South West.

Residents in Melbourne have also been advised to take extra caution as temperatures increase over the week.

A “catastrophic” fire danger will be issued for Wimmera on Thursday, while Mallee, Northern Country, North Central, Central, and South West regions will be issued with extreme fire danger.

A high fire danger will be in effect for residents in North East, East, West and South Gippsland.

Hundreds of firefighters have been working to control the flames. Picture: Supplied

It comes as a large raging bushfire, which was sparked by a lightning strike in the Grampians Natinal Park on Thursday, tripled in size between Friday and Saturday, with flames spreading over 36,000 hectares with a fire perimeter of 192kms.

More than 300 firefighters are battling the blaze, though the Victorian Country Fire Authroity (CFA) said it could take weeks to put out the fire; the “very steep” and difficult terrain is making it more difficult for firefighters to control the blaze.

Firefighters will continue to work on the blaze in the lead-up to Boxing Day on Thursday, which is anticipated to reach 39C in the western regions of Victoria.

“Boxing Day is a big travel day right across the state, so we urge those travelling to download the VicEmergency app before you go,” Victorian Country Fire Authority’s deputy chief officer Garry Cook said.

Backburning operations are currently underway in nearby towns to prevent the spread of further fires.

However, VicEmergency incident controller Aaron Kennedy said the dry conditions made it difficult to keep the blaze under control.

“Our firefighting operations have been hampered by quite significant winds and an underlying fuel dryness,” he said.

The hot, dry and windy weather has created the perfect conditions for bushfires. Picture: Supplied

The upcoming hot and windy conditions across Victoria this week will only make it more difficult to battle the blaze.

In Melbourne, temperatures are forecast to reach 30C on Christmas Day and 40C on Boxing Day.

It will be hotter in regional areas of the state, with Stawell and Ararat expected to reach 35C on Christmas Day and 40C on Boxing Day, and Horsham tipping past 42C on Thursday.

Christmas Day in Sydney will be sunny with a maximum temperature of 26C and 28C on Boxing Day.

Conditions will be hotter in the southern regions of the state, with temperatures in Balranald reaching 37C on Christmas Day and 44C on Boxing Day.

It will be cooler in Perth on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, reaching a top of 25C in the capital city.

Conditions will be hotter in eastern WA, with a forecast of 28C in Moora on Christmas Day and 29C on Boxing Day.

Originally published as ‘Extreme’: Victoria issues dire update ahead of Boxing Day as temperatures soar