Bushfires still bearing down on western towns as cool change nears

Towns in Victoria’s south-west faced a nervous wait overnight Saturday into Sunday as several bushfires continue to burn out of control, even as a coming cool change was expected to bring wild winds and heavy rainfall across the state.

Residents were still being urged to flee in towns near the South Australian border on Saturday night, where a fire had engulfed a blue gum plantation in Kadnook and was bearing down on Chetwynd and Connewirricoo.

Another blaze was burning towards the coast near the Otways, with spot fires and embers threatening the Great Ocean Road. But a fire in the region near Gellibrand, Kawarren was brought under control on Saturday afternoon, as was a bushfire in the state’s west near Dereel barrelling towards towns near Ballarat.

A total fire ban will remain in force for the Wimmera region on Sunday, but temperatures will ease from a high of 37 degrees in some parts of the state on Saturday.

Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan said strong winds could exacerbate the fires in far western Victoria that are not yet under control.

By Saturday evening, the bushfire that sparked up in the Kadnook plantation had crossed the Glenelg River, and a south-westerly cool change sweeping through overnight was expected to deliver winds of up to 30 kilometres an hour. An emergency relief centre had been set up at Edenhope Community Centre and those in Chetwynd, Connewirricoo and Kadnook were urged to evacuate with their pets, phones and medication.

The blaze in the Otways near Gellibrand in south-west Victoria on Saturday.Credit: Nine

Further south, smoke rose above the scenic Great Ocean Road as an out-of-control fire burns south to the coast from Chapple Vale to the Great Ocean Walk, and those in Crowes, Lavers Hill, Yuulong and Wattle Hill were urged to leave.

Authorities issued fresh advice at 4.30am Sunday for the Crowes, Johanna Heights, Lavers Hill, Stalker, Wangerrip, Wattle Hill, Yuulong, Chapple Vale, Gellibrand Lower and Johanna communities, which said leaving now was the safest option, and the fire remained out of control.

“Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”

Meanwhile, in Victoria’s north-east, the Bureau of Meteorology was warning of damaging winds and rainfall early Sunday.

A cold front sweeping across Gippsland on Saturday night could lead to flash flooding by the morning, with a soaking of up to 80 milimetres likely, driven by winds of up to 90 kilometres an hour.

But Saturday’s scorching temperatures will drop to a forecast top of 27 degrees Sunday in the state’s north, and 26 in Melbourne.

The bureau recommends that people take care on roads during storms and stay indoors where possible.

Seymour, Wodonga, Wangaratta and Bright are all expected to be impacted.

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