Residents warned ‘it is too late to leave’ as intense bushfires continue to spread
Residents in parts of Victoria have been told they are “in danger” and “need to act immediately to survive” as bushfires tear through the state.
Residents in parts of Victoria have been told they are “in danger” and “need to act immediately to survive” as devastating bushfires threaten large swathes of the state.
Multiple “leave immediately” and “take shelter now” warnings have been issued since Thursday afternoon.
The warnings are centred around the ongoing fires at the Grampians National Park.
The blaze has burnt through more than 43,000 hectares of land since it started a week ago and is spreading south riding hot winds.
By 5pm on Thursday, updated warnings from VicEmergency told residents in a list of areas surrounding Grampians National Park they must now shelter in place.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the warning reads.
“The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you.”
The dire warning is targeted at those in Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Grampians Junction, Halls Gap and Bornes Hill, where it is now too late to safely evacuate.
Those taking shelter are advised to move indoors, to wear fire resistant clothing such as pure cotton or wool and leather shoes, to close doors and windows, and shelter in a room with multiple exits.
In the event a house catches fire, residents are warned to move rooms and close doors behind them.
Residents should exit the house if necessary and move to an area that has already been burnt.
“Staying inside a burning building will almost certainly end in death,” VicEmergency warns.
Those who are unable to get indoors are advised to shelter in the middle of a large open area and to try to protect themselves from the fire’s heat.
At 11.30am Thursday, an updated warning from VicEmergency told people in the area south of Pomonal down to Mafeking Road to leave their houses immediately.
“The bushfire is travelling from Grampians National Park in a south-easterly direction,” the warning said.
“Private property adjoining the National Park could be impacted in the next two-four hours.
“Winds have strengthened predominantly from the north however these may become erratic and come from different directions.”
“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.”
Anyone still in the heart of the firezone was told to take shelter.
That dire warning was issued at 10.45am on Thursday for people in the area of Bornes Hill and North Boundary Road.
A total fire ban has taken effect across Victoria and parts of South Australia as residents were urged to flee and others were told to avoid non-essential travel as fierce bushfires rage on.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has declared an “extreme” fire warning for the entirety of Victoria except East Gippsland, which has been designated as “high”.
Residents in the Bornes Hill and North Boundary Road areas, near the Grampians National Park, have been told it is too late for them to leave and are being urged to “shelter now” as firefighters battle the blaze.
The alert was issued shortly after 6.30am Thursday, as the bushfires travelled in a southerly direction towards Wannon River with spotting into the North Boundary Road region.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the VicEmergency update read.
“The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.”
A watch and act warning has also been issued for residents in Jallukar, Londonderry, Mafeking, Moyston, Rhymney, Watgania, Willaura North.
Those in the elevated risk areas have been told to leave before 10am Boxing Day, before extreme fire danger conditions begin.
Shortly before 3pm on Christmas Day, residents in Halls Gap were ordered to leave their properties at the weekend, followed by people living in Moyston and Pomonal,as bushfires are yet to be brought under control.
A total fire ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight.
The ban will take effect from 12.01am and end at 11.59pm on Boxing Day.
This warning has been driven by hot temperatures and dry air on Boxing Day, combined with fresh to strong winds, which could create further fires.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore, the conditions on Boxing Day will be “concerning” as dry and fast winds could be enough to “bring down trees and power lines, cause some minor power outages, but also create dangerous conditions for those ongoing fires through the Grampians”.
The grim forecast comes as firefighters continue to battle the Grampians blaze.
An extreme fire danger warning has been issued in Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, North East, South West, Central and West and South Gippsland
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said there were two major concerns on Boxing Day; the fires already burning and the risk of new fires.
“Thursday’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” he said.
On Christmas morning, the CFA reported 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,” a statement read.
Mr Heffernan said the fires already burning and any new fires that could be sparked as a result of the extreme fire risk were both “major concerns”.
“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.
Authorities are also asking people to avoid travelling in or around the areas flagged by VicEmergency.
It will be a scorching day in Victoria on Thursday, with Melbourne reporting hot and dry conditions and reaching a top of 39C.
Around the western regions, temperatures will reach a maximum of 36C in Stawell and Ararat, with a much-needed cool change coming on Thursday evening.
The eastern regions will also feel the heat, with a top of 36C in Moe and 39C in Wangaratta.
Parts of southern NSW including Wagga Wagga are expected to hit 39C on Thursday, with Swan Hill anticipated to reach a top of 41C and Wentworth hitting 42C.
Sydney’s in for a cooler forecast of 29C on Thursday, but things are set to heat up again on Friday with temperatures forecast to peak at 37C.
Fire danger will increase in northeast NSW from Friday afternoon, with temperatures reaching up to 37C in Sydney and 38C in Moree.
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.
Back in Victoria, authorities will likely continue their efforts to contain the fires into 2025, with eighteen firebombing aircraft and 600 firefighters currently on the ground.
That includes more than 100 personnel who have come from NSW, Queensland, ACT, and Tasmania to assist the CFA’s efforts.
Originally published as Residents warned ‘it is too late to leave’ as intense bushfires continue to spread
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