Otways bushfire triggers new warnings, statewide total fire ban extended
Cooler and less windy weather overall has brought some relief to firefighters in Victoria, but there are fresh warnings of a fire south of Colac, while major fire fronts in the state’s north-central and north-east remain a significant concern.
According to the State Control Center, 32 fires continue across the state, while fire fronts generally move north due to winds coming from the south. A total shooting ban for Victoria has been extended until the early hours of Monday morning.
Severe heatwave conditions have eased across western and central Victoria, with maximum temperatures across the state expected to reach the mid-teens to lower thirties on Sunday.
Air quality across Melbourne was good as of Sunday morning, but air quality was still poor in parts of central and north-eastern Victoria. Bendigo, Castlemaine and Daylesford reported “very poor” air quality from 7am, while Beechworth residents were facing “extremely poor” air quality.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Daniel Sherwin-Simpson told ABC Radio Melbourne that destructive winds were not expected on Sunday, but wind gusts of 50km/h were possible near Seymour.
“This is probably going to be the windiest place in the state, above the central ranges,” he said. “That could lead to some challenges with what will start to spread northward near Longwood.”
The official size of the Longwood fire was reduced to 136,000 hectares from the 142,000 hectares recorded late Saturday. There are 400 firefighters and 100 vehicles on the fire scene this morning, but their numbers are expected to increase soon.
Attention on Saturday afternoon was focused on containing the fire in the area between Merton and Bonnie Doon; As of Sunday morning, Bonnie Doon remains under surveillance and a no action alert, meaning residents cannot return to their homes.
The latest advice for those living in Eildon and the surrounding area is to take shelter, while those living in Avenel, to the west of the fire, have also been told to remain vigilant.
The Bureau’s Sherwin-Simpson said while temperatures had “dropped slightly” across Victoria, he expected the heat to persist in parts of the north-east.
Corryong, which closed its hospital and aid center due to its proximity to the Walwa fire, is expected to reach 33 degrees on Sunday.
An out-of-control bushfire 25 kilometers west of Walwa prompted an “immediate departure” warning in the early hours of Sunday morning.
VicEmergency issued a warning for Granya, Bungil, Burrowye, Walwa and surrounding areas just after midnight, warning that conditions could become very dangerous and unpredictable. By 7am, residents of Corryong, Cudgewa, Mitta Mitta, Dartmouth and surrounding areas were advised to take shelter immediately as the fire intensified.
A help center has been established in Wodonga. People north of the fire front are being urged to leave via NSW.
There is also an out-of-control fire in the Cape Otway area south of Colac, approximately six kilometers east of Kennedys Creek, moving in a north-east direction towards private property.
Carlisle River residents were told to seek shelter immediately early Sunday morning. Those in Kawarren, Barongarook West, Irrewillipe, Irrewillipe East, Gellibrand, Chapple Vale, Charleys Creek, Kincaid, Pile Siding and Weeaproinah were instructed to leave immediately.
Parts of the Great Ocean Road have been closed and those affected by the Otways fires have been told to go to Colac, where an aid center has been set up. There is a separate help center for larger animals.
A Wangaratta resident who called ABC Radio said he and a small army of volunteers were euthanizing seriously injured animals.
The caller said they saw “thousands” of dead sheep and “hundreds” of dead cattle, as well as numerous dead kangaroos and several deer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to be in Victoria and visit a bushfire control center with Premier Jacinta Allan on Sunday morning.
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Broede Carmody is The Age’s health correspondent. He was previously the state political correspondent for The Age and national news blogger for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: excitement or email.
