'It may get worse very quickly': Town on edge with strong winds threatening to flare bushfire
Residents in eastern Victoria on Monday morning were advised to flee an out of control bushfire that was likely to escalate due to worsening weather conditions.
A fire raging towards Tamboon, just south of Mallacoota in Victoria’s East Gippsland region, was at emergency level early Monday before being downgraded to watch and act.
However, Vic Emergency is warning locals leaving now is still the safest option.
“Conditions may change and get worse very quickly,” the warning said.
“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”
When the fire was at emergency level, residents were given just hours to leave while those staying were urged to seek shelter immediately.
“The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you,” the warning said.
This WATCH & ACT - BUSHFIRE message is being issued for Furnell, Tamboon, Tamboon South.
*** This Watch and Act message replaces the Emergency Warning issued at 4:18am this morning 13th January.***
More details at https://t.co/wjXr7Se602 pic.twitter.com/VgTgftac6Q— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 12, 2020
There is also a watch and act issued for nearby Bemm River, Cann River, Furnell, Hilo Crossing, Noorinbee, Noorinbee North, Tonghi Creek and Wingan River.
Conditions in the East Gippsland could provide a challenge for exhausted fire crews, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a strong wind warning for the region.
Wind gusts of up to 25km/h are predicted, with temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees expected.
Lower temperatures are expected to last throughout the week, with rain developing in the state's east on Wednesday and extending at least until Saturday.
Fire authorities said that despite the milder conditions, people needed to remain aware of conditions in their area because fires were still active.
"We've got fairly benign weather conditions, but we still have very active fires in the landscape and people need to stay across their local conditions," Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp said.
The reprieve comes after the state's death toll from the fires rose to four with the death of a veteran firefighter.
Wonthaggi father of two Bill Slade, 60, was working edge on a fire near Omeo, when he was struck by a tree on Saturday.
Mr Slade had worked on major fire incidents in the past including the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires.
"Bill was a much loved colleague, friend and member of the Wonthaggi community. He'll be sorely missed by Parks Victoria," Parks Victoria chief Matt Jackson said.
Premier Daniel Andrews sent his condolences to Mr Slade's family on Sunday, stressing how his death showed the fires remain a dangerous environment.
More than 1.3 million hectares have been burnt in Victoria since November 21, while 286 homes and 400 other buildings have been damaged.
Poor and very poor air quality conditions due to the bushfires are forecast statewide, with smoke and haze in the east, northeast and central Victoria.
The milder conditions offer firefighters an opportunity to strengthen containment lines in fire-ravaged areas.
One of NSW’s worst fires under control
The Gospers Mountain mega blaze just northwest of Sydney has finally been brought under control after burning through 512,000 hectares in the past two-and-a-half months.
The Hawkesbury RFS said on Facebook on Sunday containment took longer than expected due to unfavourable weather conditions, but crews had finally been successful.
“It is important to remember not to be complacent as there are still a few months of the bushfire season to go with some bushland that still has not been burnt.”
NSW firefighters are expecting more reprieve this week, with rain and thunderstorms forecast.
Significant rainfall is expected to arrive mid-week, hitting fire-ravaged areas like the Snowy Mountains and South Coast.
However there is also a danger that comes with much-needed rain storms.
“Because it’s been a very dry season and the moisture content is very low on everything, any [lightning] strike increases the potential for fire activity,” Weatherzone meteorologist Felix Levesque told Yahoo News Australia.
“Combining increased lightning potential over the last week and weeks ahead does increase the potential for fires, but hopefully it also brings some showers.”
He said lightning strikes were an unavoidable “price to pay” for the chance of getting some rain.
There are 122 fires burning across NSW, but none are at emergency levels.
The bushfire death toll is now at 27 nationally since the start of the bushfire season.
with AAP
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