MP Colin Boyce to move spill motion for National Party leadership; Liberal senator says the West has ‘probably been too nice’ about Islam
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said at its peak nearly 100,000 properties in Victoria were without power, but as of 7am this morning that number had fallen to about 21,000. Teams continue their work to restore electricity to these houses.
The Prime Minister said he had not received any advice that the outages were linked to load loss due to high demand and limited supply, or that the outages were linked to extreme temperatures.
Allan said there are currently eight active fires across the state, and two of those fires (in Larralea and Rocklands) started yesterday.
About eight structures were destroyed in the Larralea and Lismore areas of Melbourne’s west. The fire threat in these areas is now reduced, with people living in Berrybank, Foxhow, Gnarkeet, Gnarpurt and Lismore able to continue normal activities.
“Today continues to be a difficult day for our emergency services and firefighters; as I said, there are eight active fires in the area and a number of fires in particular that are causing some difficulties,” he said.
“There are currently three emergency alerts and 13 watch and action alerts for different fires across the state.”
Allan said a fire around the Carlisle River was “very difficult” and was subject to emergency warnings, and although the weather was cool the winds were creating extra challenges for emergency services.
The Prime Minister also warned that extreme heat would persist in the northern parts of the state, putting pressure on efforts to extinguish the fire in Walwa.
