Emergency warning issued for two bushfires in Victoria’s west, residents told to leave
The blaze is moving south from Kadnook towards Chetwynd, which is at risk. Residents in the area have also been told to leave immediately.
A watch and act warnings was also issued on Saturday afternoon for Gellibrand in Victoria’s south-west, with residents urged to leave the area immediately.
In Gellibrand, an Otway Ranges town of some 230 people about 22 kilometres south of Colac, authorities said the situation could worsen quickly.
They said a bushfire at Railway Line Road, Kawarren, north of Gellibrand, was moving south towards Frys Road, and urged people in Gellibrand to leave via Colac-Lavers Hill Road.
The advice says that leaving now is “the safest option” in the affected areas, and warns conditions may “get worse very quickly”.
“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay. By choosing to stay, you and your family may be at risk of serious injury or death.”
A watch-and-act warning for the Oakdene Estate – on the Bellarine Peninsula at Marcus Hill, near Ocean Grove was downgraded after a grassfire was brought under control.
State Control Centre spokesman Luke Heagerty said a number of grass and scrub fires started over the course of the afternoon, mainly in the west of the state.
“Anyone in the warning area should leave now and take care when travelling as there could be smoke in the air, and emergency vehicles are also traveling through the area,” he said.
The CFA last week updated its warnings for the west and south-west of the state, warning of heightened bushfire risks this season. Drier-than-average conditions over winter leaving a build-up of dead and dry vegetation fuel across Victoria.
Earlier Saturday, a total fire ban was declared for the Wimmera and Mallee regions in Victoria’s north-west. Temperatures are expected to reach as high as 38 degrees, with hot and dry conditions forecast.
The ban, which applies to regional centres Mildura, Swan Hill and Horsham, means that lighting open fires is not permitted until Sunday.
“We are asking residents and workers in fire-prone areas, especially near forested regions, to be mindful of the elevated fire risk tomorrow,” said Jason Heffernan, chief officer of the Country Fire Authority.
“Conditions will create a challenging environment for firefighters and increase the likelihood of rapid fire spread.”
The ban will remain in place until 11.59pm Saturday. A cool change is expected to reduce temperatures in the evening.
Meanwhile, in Victoria’s north-east, severe weather warnings have also been issued for rainfall and damaging winds.
There is a cold front moving across the Gippsland area on Saturday night that will lead to a high risk of flash flooding on Sunday morning, according to the weather bureau.
The bureau recommends that people take care on roads, stay indoors and avoid any unnecessary travel.
Seymour, Wodonga, Wangaratta and Bright are all expected to be impacted.
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