Victoria bushfires: Alpine region warned to evacuate
An out-of-control bushfire is burning in Victoria’s alpine region near the NSW border.
An “evacuate now” warning has been issued over an out-of-control bushfire burning in Victoria’s alpine region the day after long awaited rainfall brought hopes of a reprieve from a deadly season of infernos.
The out-of-control blaze is on the northwest side of Mount Buffalo in the state’s high country.
VicEmergency is strongly recommending residents and holiday-makers in Buffalo Creek, Buffalo River, Merriang, Merriang South and Nug Nug evacuate to a safer location.
While the rain caused flash flooding in Victoria's west and metropolitan Melbourne, what showers did hit the alpine and East Gippsland regions on Thursday did little to help battle the fires.
Victoria’s fires, which have been burning since November 21, have killed five men and burnt through more than more than 1.5 million hectares, destroying 387 residential homes and 602 non-residential buildings.
The evacuation order comes the day after the tourism body for Victoria’s high country Tourism North East extended a “qualified invitation” to holiday-makers to visit the alpine region and spend money in bushfire impacted communities.
With over half of tourism businesses in the region reporting losses of 100 per cent, according to a Tourism North East survey, acting CEO Sarah Pilgrim said the vast majority of towns and communities remained open for business.
“High Country communities are resilient and together we look forward to welcoming guests back to the region,” she said.
As of midday on Friday, all 17 fires across Victoria were at watch and act level or lower.
There are 1500 firefighters and 45 aircraft working on the blazes in the state.
With AAP
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