The Victorian Premier has raised alarms regarding severe bushfire conditions expected Friday night, categorizing this period as the “most dangerous and difficult” as changing winds impact ongoing blazes across the state. With three individuals still unaccounted for and numerous properties destroyed, officials urge residents to heed emergency guidelines.
During a Friday evening announcement, Premier Jacinta Allan highlighted the urgency of the situation. “Fires are continuing to unfold across the state,” she warned, emphasizing the importance of staying informed through local radio and the VicEmergency app. She encouraged communities to maintain connections with family and loved ones, as this can significantly bolster the efforts of firefighting teams.
The State Control Centre’s David Nugent reported that a forecast north-westerly wind change, which began affecting conditions on Friday afternoon, was intensifying a significant grass fire in Natimuk, approximately 25 kilometers west of Horsham, where temperatures surged to 43C. “These hot temperatures combined with high winds make it incredibly challenging for our firefighters,” Nugent commented.
Additional blazes have emerged, including a grassfire at Streatham affecting Skipton, and another in Bamganie impacting Meredith. Near Melbourne, a grassfire close to Avalon College was reportedly brought under control. Each of these incidents triggered emergency warnings, reflecting the dangerous fire climate.
Morgan Pumper, a duty forecaster with the Bureau of Meteorology, noted that wind speeds could reach up to 125 kilometers per hour across various parts of the state, further exacerbating the situation. “When combined with the prevailing heat and existing fires, conditions are dire,” she stated.
The Longwood bushfire in central Victoria remains uncontrolled, with three individuals—a man, woman, and child—reported missing as the situation escalates. Earlier, police deputy commissioner Bob Hill disclosed that firefighters had warned the trio on Thursday morning against staying in their residence, which was later found completely destroyed.
Severe damage has been reported in the township of Ruffy, located around 175 km north of Melbourne, where at least 20 homes have been lost. Community safety officer Felicity Sloman confirmed the extent of the devastation, stating that a Ruffy firefighter had sustained third-degree burns.
Captain George Noye described the situation in Ruffy as “absolutely devastating,” while volunteer firefighter Darryl Otzen expressed heartache for his destroyed property. “You come back and see what used to be your house,” he lamented.
In response to the evolving crisis, residents in areas affected by the historic Black Saturday fires were advised to evacuate. An emergency alert issued Friday afternoon warned of a wind change expected around 8 p.m., predicting a shift that would push fires northeast. This prompted significant concerns for towns like Buxton and Marysville, previously ravaged in 2009.
Power outages impacted over 70,000 properties statewide due to strong winds and lightning, compounding the challenges facing emergency response teams. As of Friday morning, a bushfire near Walwa had already scorched 20,000 hectares, compelling evacuation warnings for Corryong residents on the New South Wales border.
Emergency management commissioner Tim Wiebusch astutely noted the catastrophic risk posed by severe heatwaves, damaging winds, and storms affecting several regions. This level of alert has not been issued since the devastating black summer fires of 2019-2020.
In light of the impact on local communities, Premier Allan confirmed that emergency relief payments would be available for affected residents in various local government areas, including Strathbogie, Towong, Mansfield, and Murrindindi, following discussions with the federal government.
As firefighting crews continue to battle these relentless blazes, the community remains hopeful for their safe recovery and for the restoration of normalcy in the affected areas.