More Bushfires in Victoria, Australia

Victoria bracing for worst fire conditions since Black Saturday; warnings current in South Australia

Hundreds of firefighters are on stand-by as Victoria faces its most severe fire threat since Black Saturday in 2009.

ABC,

9 February, 2014

Temperatures are forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius in some regions, with a gusty wind change moving across the state later in the morning.

Several fires have been burning out of control overnight, including two huge fires in East Gippsland.

An emergency warning is current for Buchan, Buchan South and Sunny Point and evacuation notices had been issued to some residents in the area.

There is an out of control bushfire travelling in a south-easterly direction from Timbarra and Gil Groggin towards Buchan and surrounds, says the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

"Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous," says the CFA website.

"Emergency Services may not be able to help if you decide to stay."

An emergency warning has also been issued for Goongerah and Martins Creek, also in East Gippsland.

There are fast moving, out of control bushfires travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Goongerah and Martins Creek areas, says the CFA.

Authorities are expecting strong north westerly winds until the afternoon, when a strong southerly wind change is expected.

"You are in danger, act now to protect yourself," is the advice given on the website.

"It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately."

For more information check the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

SA homes under threat

Firefighters have worked through the night to try to contain a large blaze burning out of control at Bangor in the Southern Flinders Ranges.

The fire has broken containment lines and is threatening a number of towns in the area, including Beetaloo Valley, Laura, Stone Hut and Wirrabarra, and an emergency warning remains current.

The CFA says the fire is a risk to lives and homes.

"What's concerning is that we haven't been able to do any direct attack on the north-eastern flank of the fire because of the terrain and thick vegetation," the CFS's Mark Thomason said.

Meanwhile, police believe a fire in the Belair National Park in the Adelaide Hills yesterday may have been deliberately lit.

It came within a kilometre of homes and caused some residents to flee.

For information about bushfires, check the CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au or call the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361.

No relief for fire crews as conditions deteriorate

The CFA says warm conditions overnight brought no relief for crews working to contain the fires.

Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley says days of extreme heat have increased the state's fuel load.

Kinglake survivors recall black day

On the fifth anniversary of Victoria's deadly Black Saturday bushfires, residents in Kinglake have recounted painful memories of survival.

"Sunday will be the worst fire conditions that Victorians have faced since 2009, it's a very serious position that we're in," he said.

"It's all due to the fact that we've had extended heat periods."

Meanwhile, Richard Carlyon of the Bureau of Meteorology says the winds are about to strengthen across Victoria.

"Wind change is right on our western border at the moment, between the western border and Portland, and we should start to see that move through the south-west reaching central areas during the middle of the day and eastern areas this afternoon," he said.

"Very gusty south westerly wind to follow. Not much rain with the change either."

Fire authorities earlier warned that today's fires would be fast moving and furious.

"We've got 1,290 stations and we've already moved a number of them in and out of Melbourne in the outer Metropolitan area, so we're at full capacity," Mr Lapsley said.

"We've got all our vehicles, MFB, CFA, Parks Victoria and DEPI vehicles all crewed and available to go either to fires or to new starts."

The whole state is under a total fire ban for the entire weekend and a heat health warning.

Sunday will be the worst fire conditions that Victorians have faced since 2009, it's a very serious position that we're in.

"Now is the time to talk to your family and friends, make your plans and prepare.

"If you're thinking of travelling somewhere this weekend, be aware of the conditions in that area and stay informed."

Elsewhere across the state, the fire rating is extreme in the North East, Northern Country, North Central, Central Victoria and West and South Gippsland.

There is a severe warning for Wimmera and Mallee.

Melbourne falls short of overnight record

Melbourne failed to set a new record for its hottest overnight temperature.

The minimum temperature was forecast to be 30C, create the chance of beating the 30.6C record that was set in January 2010.

But a small band of showers crossed south of city, pushing cooler air over Melbourne and causing the temperature to drop to 25C at midnight.

But the relief was short-lived; the mercury had climbed back to 32C by 3am.

Too late to evacuate for Goongerah residents

Residents of the small Gippsland town of Goongerah have been told it is too late to evacuate from bushfires.

the Age,

8 February, 2014

‘You are in danger, act now to protect yourself,’’ said the latest emergency warning from the Country Fire Authority, issued at 10.09pm.

‘‘It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.’’

The town is threatened by fast moving, out of control bushfires travelling in a south-easterly direction towards the Goongerah and Martins Creek areas.

Strong north-westerly winds are forecast for tonight into tomorrow with a strong southerly windchange forecast for tomorrow afternoon.

There are two relief centres: at the Orbost Secondary College Assembly Hall and at the Delegate Country Club. A number of local roads are also closed.

The second emergency warning issued by the CFA is to the nearby town of Buchan, whose residents have been urged to evacuate.

The Buchan warning – which also includes Buchan South and Sunny Point – was issued at 8.37pm.

‘‘There is an out of control bushfire travelling in a south easterly direction from Timbarra and Gil Groggin towards Buchan and surrounds,’’ said the CFA.

‘‘Spotfires and ember attacks may impact the Buchan area from dawn Sunday. Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.

Emergency Services may not be able to help if you decide to stay.

‘‘The Bruthen - Buchan Road is likely to be closed at the intersection of Bruthen - Nowa Nowa Road and Bruthen - Buchan Road when the fire impacts communities.’’Buchan has a population of 385.

The Country Fire Authority firefighters are bracing themselves for dry thunderstorms coming from the west on Saturday afternoon, fearing lightning-spark fires in the tinter-dry state.

The thunderstorms are expected to travel east through Gippsland in the evening where there are several large and not yet controlled fires near to the Errinundra National Park and Cann River.

North-easterly winds of 15 to 25 km/h are expected.Two days of total fire ban have been issued for Saturday and Sunday.