Heatwave raises fire danger across Victoria
Firefighters worry that an extended heatwave kicking off on Sunday could worsen bushfires in the Grampians and the Little Desert national parks, which have destroyed property and burnt well over 100,000 hectares combined.
Melbourne’s weather is expected to hit 38 degrees on Sunday.Credit: Scott McNaughton
Authorities are warning people in high-risk areas to have a bushfire survival plan ready and establish evacuation routes as a lack of significant rain forecast for February means the bushfire season is likely to be longer than usual.
Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said firefighters were on alert ahead of the dangerous conditions.
“[With the] heatwave across the state commencing tomorrow, it will be hot and dry with no significant rain and more dry lightning potential,” said Nugent.
“Heat may also impact our current fires ... and make new fires easier to start and spread.”
Western and central parts of Victoria will be most at risk of new fires and are the likely location of any dry lightning.
New fires are out-of-control in The Grampians, pictured here in December, as firefighters brace for a prolonged heatwave. Credit: Justin McManus
The heat threatens to worsen existing fires in the Grampians, which are burning out of control as firefighters engage in back-burning to limit the spread.
David Nugent, Park Victoria’s director of fire, environment, land and water said terrain in the Grampians was making the fires particularly troublesome.
“The landscape … it’s rocky, it’s steep, it’s very difficult country for us to fight fires. It’s dry … so the conditions are very difficult for us,” Nugent said.
“We are very wary of the conditions over the coming days.”
A high fire danger rating is in place for the entire state on Sunday.
The Little Desert Fire – which scorched more than 60,000 hectares in less than 24 hours near the South Australian border – has been brought under control by firefighters, who protected the nearby town of Dimboola. Authorities announced on Saturday that one home had been lost to the flames.
The Little Desert Fire became so intense it started generating its own weather system, which makes it more dangerous to firefighters and communities.
The Little Desert bushfire threatened Dimboola, but has been contained by firefighters. Credit: Jamie Chandler/Facebook
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan warned that it could make any fires over the coming days unpredictable.
“If we do see a fire reach a certain size... it will generate its own wind and lightning,” said Heffernan.
He also said the early February weather could be similar for the entire month, with “no substantial rain forecast for February … I do anticipate the Victorian bushfire this year is likely to go longer than what it traditionally would.”
Kevin Parkyn, a senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, said Melbourne hadn’t experienced three consecutive days of at least 37 degrees since 2014.
“So we are looking at quite an intense heatwave,” he said.
“A wind change on Tuesday will bring a cool change which could drop temperatures by 10 degrees quite quickly, starting in the south-west and to Melbourne by the afternoon, which will have a big impact on the maximum temperatures.”
Victoria’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Evelyn Wong has urged Victorian’s to stay hydrated and indoors during the hottest parts of the heatwave, which is particularly dangerous for the elderly and vulnerable.
“It’s a timely reminder for all Victorians to take care of themselves and each other,” said Wong.
“Extreme heat can affect everybody, so please don’t underestimate it.”
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