Forecast high temperatures and wind could increase southeast Australia’s bushfire crisis

As fires continue to burn across parts of East Gippsland, the North East and NSW Riverina today, further warnings have been put in place for Saturday with the mercury expected to nudge 45C.

AUTHORITIES are warning of forecast searing temperatures and gusty conditions this weekend that have the potential to increase southeast Australia’s bushfire crisis.

As fires continue to burn across parts of East Gippsland, the North East and NSW Riverina today, further alerts have been put in place for Saturday in particular with the mercury expected to nudge 45C on some fire grounds.

Albury and Wagga Wagga are both going for a top of 44C on Saturday, with Bega on the fire-ravaged NSW South Coast expected to reach 43C and Corryong, which remains under threat from fire, going for a top of 42C. In East Gippsland, Orbost is expecting 41C and Bairnsdale 39C.

The CFA has severe fire danger ratings in place for the Mallee, Northern Country, North East and East Gippsland fire districts on Saturday. Wimmera, North Central, Central and West and South Gippsland fire districts currently have very high fire danger ratings.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Rod Dickson said Saturday would be “certainly the next significant day of fire danger across eastern Victoria with north-westerly winds expected to freshen ahead of a strong and gusty south-westerly change that will move through during the early afternoon”.

“Temperatures expected ahead of that change are expected to reach the low 40Cs across far East Gippsland, so pretty hot conditions once again even in North East Victoria with temperatures reaching the low-to-mid 40Cs, expecting up to 44C, ahead of that change.” Mr Dickson said.

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Away from the fire-affected areas in northwest Victoria, Mildura is expected to hit 43C tomorrow and 37C on Saturday. In the NSW Riverina, Hillston is going for a top of 45C on Saturday with 44C forecast at Griffith, 43C at Hay and two days of 42C at Deniliquin tomorrow and Saturday.

Mr Dickson said there would be a significant drop in temperatures on Sunday with maximum temperatures ranging from “the high teens to the mid 20Cs” across most of Victoria.

“On Sunday and Monday there is a weak rain band across the state that will produce some shower activity but it looks like it will probably only amount to a few millimetres, perhaps up to 5mm in parts of the east. It will not be enough to dampen the fires.”

Looking further ahead, the BOM’s eight-day rainfall outlook points to 15-25mm of rain falling in the North East, East Gippsland and southeast NSW in the next week.

Sheep are seen on a fire-damaged property in Sarsfield, East Gippsland. Picture: AAP

EMERGENCY CREWS CALL MEETINGS

COMMUNITY meetings are being held today in bushfire-threatened towns across East Gippsland and the North East.

Emergency services will update people about the current fire situation, support services available and how to best prepare for the expected elevated fire danger this coming weekend.

The following meetings are scheduled for today, Thursday, January 2.

EAST GIPPSLAND

Cann River P-12 College at 2pm. If fire activity increases in the area, the meeting will be rescheduled and Vic Emergency will advise the community.

Bruthen Mechanics Hall at 6pm. A summary of the meeting will be on the Bruthen Fire Brigade Facebook page after the meeting.

Omeo Recreation Reserve at 5pm.

HIGH COUNTRY

Benambra Fire Station at 4pm.

NORTH EAST

Tallangatta Valley, Tallangatta Creek Rd, Tallangatta Valley at 12pm.

Tallangatta Memorial Hall, Towong Street, Tallangatta at 3pm.

Walwa Pub, 39 Main St, Walwa at 6pm.

HOW TO HELP

Fodder donations and offers of agistment:

Victorian Farmers Federation, 1300 882 833 or [e-mail]

Report livestock injuries:

Agriculture Victoria, 1800 226 226