Homes have been destroyed and fresh evacuate immediately orders issued for dozens of small towns near a large bushfire during severe heatwave conditions.
The bushfire at Carlisle River in the Otways Ranges, in southwest Victoria, is causing serious concern, after breaching containment lines.
The state is sweltering through its worst heatwave since 2009, with temperatures soaring above 40C, potentially smashing records.
At least three homes have been lost in the raging Otways fire, although it’s not clear if they are primary places of residence or holiday homes.
Authorities expect a strong ‘punchy’ south-southwesterly wind change on Tuesday afternoon, which will create an erratic and extreme conditions in the Otways.
Wind gusts of up to 70 km/h are forecast for the region from 5pm.
‘That fire will run. It will develop a plume and it will pick up really significant energy,’ Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman said.
‘The heat conditions are making things incredibly difficult for firefighters in Victoria.’
Several homes have been destroyed by large bushfires in Victoria amid the worst heatwave since 2009
Townships of Barongarook, Gellibrand, Kawarren and Lovat have been added to the evacuation warnings.
‘If you are located in these areas it is recommended you evacuate immediately and move to a safer location away from the fire,’ the order said.
It’s too late to leave for residents in Kariah, Larralea, Leslie Manor, Lismore, Taaraak.
Electricity distributor Powercor says its emergency response plan has been activated, with crews monitoring impacts from the fires.
More than 9,000 customers were without power in western Victoria as of 6pm.
The Carlisle River fire is threatening two major distribution powerlines that supply the region.
‘If bushfires damage or destroy parts of the power network, this will affect power supply to properties and impact equipment that relies on electricity such as electric water pumps,’ network emergency manager Ben Hallet said.
Powercor is working with firefighters to dump fire retardant over large areas of powerlines in the region, while also sending a back-up generator to the coastal town of Apollo Bay.
Temperatures in Victoria are soaring above 40C
There are a several watch and act warnings in place for the Walwa fire, near the NSW border, which has been burning for weeks.
A total fire ban remains current for Victoria on Tuesday, and has been declared for the Wimmera and North East districts on Wednesday.
‘Tomorrow’s conditions will make it difficult to suppress new fire starts, as well as providing a challenge for firefighters already working hard on containing existing fires,’ CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said.
A community fire refuge is located at Otway CFA Fire Station as a last resort option for residents, although there’s no guarantee the route there will be safe.
Relief centres are open at multiple locations in the region, including Colac Showgrounds, Colac Bluewater Leisure Centre and Grovedale Community Hub.
Watch and Act orders have also been issued for communities west of the Grampians National Park, specifically Balmoral, Hynes, Kanagulk, Rocklands, Telangatuk East.
‘There is a bushfire at Telangatuk East that is not yet under control,’ Vic Emergency stated.
‘The fire is travelling from the Glenelg River area near Smiths Road in the Yat Nat State Forest towards the Telangatuk-East Road, Telangatuk.
Watch and Act orders have also been issued for communities west of the Grampians National Park
‘A wind change is expected around in the next few hours. Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable.’
Two more bushfires are wreaking havoc on the state’s west.
A Watch and Act order was issued for the Wonnangatta – Dargo Complex due to changing conditions.
‘There are bushfires in the Wonnangatta Valley that are not yet under control,’ authorities said.
‘Fire activity remains in the area. Monitor conditions and be ready to act. Holiday makers are not to enter the area. State and National Parks are closed due to ongoing fire activity.
‘Emergency services, machinery and aircraft are operating in the area and are working on suppressing the fire edges and building control lines.’
Several more orders, including those to evacuate, have been issued for the Shire of Towong bushfire, near the NSW border.
Those in Nariel Valley including McNamara Crossing, Staceys Bridge and surrounds were told to leave the area immediately.
The bushfire at Carlisle River has breached containment
The emergency stems from a bushfire that started 25km west of Walwa on January 5.
‘Firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now, but the weather is expected to worsen over the coming days with an increase in temperature and fire intensity predicted,’ Vic Emergency said.
‘People in the area should leave the area in a northerly direction along the Benambra-Corryong Road towards Corryong.
‘The Benambra-Corryong Road is the only road in and out of the area and leaving now is the safest option.’
Bucheen Creek, Cravensville and parts of the southern end of the Nariel Valley as well as Berringama, Bullioh, Koetong, Lucyvale and Shelley are not safe to return to.
