By Cassandra Morgan and Lachlan Abbott
Firefighters are battling an out-of-control bushfire in Victoria’s west despite a cool change sweeping through the state and rapidly reducing temperatures from earlier highs above 40 degrees.
A bushfire in the Little Desert National Park – just south of Nhill – worsened on Monday evening, with authorities warning it was too late to leave parts of Dimboola, Gerang Gerung, Kiata, Kinimakatka, Lawloit, Little Desert, Winiam and Winiam East. Those in the area have been advised to take shelter.
“This fire is threatening homes and lives,” a warning said.
“The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.”
“Evacuation after this time is considered life-threatening.” the warning said.
The bushfire is travelling from Little Desert in an easterly direction and is impacting Dimboola.
Fire crews work to contain an Altona grass fire on Monday.Credit: Nine News
Residents are advised that the Western Highway is closed between Horsham and Dimboola and between Dimboola and Nhill. The Borung Highway between Dimboola and Cannum is also closed.
The Little Desert fire was spreading rapidly, and creating a large amount of smoke that could be seen and smelt over a long distance, VicEmergency said.
An emergency evacuation warning was issued about 8pm for people at Strachans campground in the Grampians National Park, which authorities say could be at risk from early Tuesday morning.
Another emergency warning to evacuate followed about an hour later for the Grampians, Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley, south of the campground. A watch and act alert was also in effect for Cranage and Zumsteins in the national park’s north.
Strong northerly winds of more than 45km/h pushed temperatures in Melbourne beyond 40 degrees on Monday.
Point Cook recorded a top of 42 degrees about 3.30pm and was still sitting on that temperature about 5.10pm. Half an hour later, it had plummeted to 27 degrees.
Melbourne’s Olympic Park weather station recorded 39 degrees at 5.40pm, before the cool change about 15 minutes later.
The temperature at Olympic Park dropped 10 degrees in the 15 minutes to 6.10pm and was sitting at 27 degrees by 6.30pm.
“[Melbourne’s weather] will likely cool off several more degrees this evening,” Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said. “The overnight minimum is forecast to be 17.”
Parts of the state’s north-west were among the hottest areas on Monday, with Mildura hitting 44 degrees. Elsewhere, Geelong Racecourse recorded a high of 42 degrees.
State Control Centre spokesman Luke Heagerty said much of Victoria was experiencing hot, dry and windy conditions, and dry lightning was moving through parts of the state including the Little Desert National Park.
“In particular for tourists and campers in that area, our advice is to leave now,” Heagerty said.
The Little Desert fire which was burning out of control on Monday.Credit: State Control Centre
“This fire is growing quickly and burning through the national park, and the best place for you to be is away from the park.”
Crews were trying to slow the spread of fire but, given the area’s dryness and the strength of the winds, the blaze could reach private land, Heagerty said.
A severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds was also issued for parts of the Central, East Gippsland and West and South Gippsland forecast districts on Monday evening.
“So we’re not out of the woods yet. We’re expecting the next few hours will be a challenge for us,” Heagerty said.
“Thankfully, behind that wind change, we do see cooler temperatures and some much higher humidity, but it will be important that our crews get a chance to really tackle those fires that have started this afternoon.”
About 4.15pm, AusNet reported about 5300 customers were without power.
Early morning walkers in Elwood were greeted with an unusual sight on Monday: a four-wheel drive became bogged on the beach’s shoreline.
Today reporter Christine Ahern was reporting about the weather forecast when a cameraman spotted the car stuck on the water’s edge around dawn.
The driver, Mohammed, appeared on a live cross later, telling Ahern he was from NSW and was confident he could get his car out of the sand. “People go to the moon. All those things get done. Am I going to be able to get a car out of the water? Come on,” he said.
A bulldozer later towed the car away.
Elsewhere, metropolitan firefighters were kept busy overnight as a blaze destroyed a house in Lady Nelson Way, Taylors Lakes, about 3am.
In a statement, Fire Rescue Victoria said a “significant structural collapse” initially stopped crews from entering the two-storey home, but they eventually declared the fire under control at 3.43am.
The aftermath of the fire in Taylors Lakes on Monday morning.Credit: Paul Rovere
“It has not been established if there was anyone inside. However, there are signs of [the house] being abandoned,” FRV said.
With Roy Ward
Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.