Hundreds of firefighters deployed to Grampians on Christmas Day
More than 600 personnel have been deployed to battle bushfires at Victoria’s Grampians National Park, in what could be the worst blaze the state has seen in five years.
More than 600 personnel have been deployed to battle bushfires in Western Victoria on Christmas Day, in what could be the worst blaze the state has seen in five years.
As of Wednesday morning, 25 firebombing aircrafts were operating at the Grampians National Park alongside more than 100 fire trucks, 30 heavy machineries and more than 600 personnel.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) reported on Christmas morning that the fire had moved north of the southern section of the national park overnight.
“The fire could burn for weeks, as Grampians National Park has a lot of fuel and very little rain is forecast”, they said.
CFA chief Jason Heffernan said any new fires could be sparked as a result of the extreme fire risk.
“Follow the strict conditions associated with the total fire ban declaration and understand how the increased fire risk will impact you, and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies,” Mr Heffernan said.
On Tuesday, Victoria’s CFA confirmed a statewide total fire ban declaration for Boxing Day with authorities warning conditions could be the worst the state has experienced since the Black Summer bushfires.
Temperatures are forecast to hit the mid-40s in parts of the state on Thursday, with hot northerly winds predicted to blow ahead of a gustly westerly change.
The declaration comes as fire rips through the Grampians, engulfing more than 43607 hectares of bushland alongside further blazes in central Victoria at Bullengarook and at The Gurdies in the east of the state.
Northern Grampians Shire deputy mayor and tourism business operator Justine Hide said if the fire continues to burn, it would likely impact towns to the south and east of the national park.
“Tomorrow is the day we are all watching, probably by the minute. But for today, conditions are more favourable and calm,” Ms Hide said.
She said the bushfires are expected to have an impact on tourism operators as well.
“Conditions after Thursday will be high and moderate until 30 December which will be great to manage the Grampians fire and any other fires in the landscape.”
There will be an extreme fire danger risk for all parts of Victoria, except for East Gippsland where a high fire danger is forecast.
Restrictions will also cover a number of activities from outdoor cooking, including barbecues, and the use of lawn mowers.
A Watch and Act notice was issued on Wednesday morning for Lake Fyans and Pomonal at the Grampians National Park, with nearby residents warned of an out of control fire on Yarram Gap road.
The bushfire is travelling in a northerly direction, however elevated winds will see smoke pushing towards the south.
Relief centers have been established at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre in Ararat and the Grampians Community Health (known as “The Shacc”) in Stawell.
Authorities were also on high alert for new blazes that might spark elsewhere in the state.
Victoria is unlikely to be the only state enduring scorching conditions on Boxing Day, With heat waves forecast around much of the country from Thursday.
Parts of southern NSW including Wagga Wagga are expected to hit 39C.
Residents in Sydney’s western suburbs are expected to cop the brunt of the city’s heatwave with an anticipated top of 41C in Penrith on Boxing Day.
Canberra is expected to reach 35C, with Brisbane to remain in the low 30s on Thursday before a searing top of 37C on Friday.
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