‘Get out now': More than 30,000 tourists urged to flee as bushfire approaches
Tens of thousands of holidaymakers in Victoria's East Gippsland region have been told to get out as some local residents evacuate amid worsening fire conditions.
About 30,000 holidaymakers visiting Lakes Entrance, along with locals, have been given the blunt warning.
"We are asking you to now leave East Gippsland from that area, east of Bairnsdale, along the coast there, into the parks, into the forest," Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said on Sunday.
"You should not be there tomorrow, and we want you to get out now."
Bureau of Meteorology Kevin Parkyn said a wind change in East Gippsland about midnight is "very problematic when it comes to fires and the landscape".
"It's a very serious life-threatening situation. Make no mistake about it," he said.
The combination of the hot, dry windy conditions coupled with the wind change across the state on Monday will fuel the nasty bushfire conditions.
If visitors and locals refuse to budge from the area, Mr Crisp warned there won't be enough trucks to go around and people may be stuck for days due to road closures.
Everyone in East Gippsland must leave the area today due to the fire danger forecast for tomorrow. Do not travel to this area. It is not possible to provide support and aid to all the visitors currently in the East Gippsland region.
Full info here: https://t.co/IlcPMgnLJ7 pic.twitter.com/XJBwFdGVej— CFA Updates (@CFA_Updates) December 29, 2019
More than 70 helicopters and planes will be working on Monday if conditions allow.
People in Goongerah and Martins Creek have also been told to evacuate as a bushfire burning easterly towards their communities was still not under control on Sunday.
A watch and act warning is in place for Goongerah, Martins Creek, Nurran, Sardine Creek and Errinundra, which states "leaving now is the safest option" before conditions change.
A warning has been downgraded to the lowest level Smokeytown and Springmount.
Revellers flee popular Falls Festival amid extreme bushfire threat
Bushfire danger to reach its peak on NYE as temperatures soar above 40C
On Sunday, temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-30s in East Gippsland with the risk of dry lightning from thunderstorms.
A warning has been downgraded to a watch and act alert for Bonang, Cabanandra, Deddick Valley, Dellicknora and Tubbut in the state's East Gippsland region.
A total fire ban is in place for the Mallee district in Victoria's northwest on Sunday, with the ban extending to the entire state on Monday.
BUSHFIRE UPDATES
Lakes Entrance: If you're holidaying in this part of the state, it's recommended you leave East Gippsland NOW.
📱Latest updates from @vicemergency.
📺https://t.co/JokZld4iWD pic.twitter.com/VpJYr3dePF— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) December 29, 2019
About 9000 festivalgoers have been told to pack up and leave Falls Festival in Lorne with severe weather on the way, including winds up to 100km/h and storms.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was in Sydney announcing compensation for NSW volunteers on the fire grounds, said other states were also on his mind.
"We are seeing a real difficult situation emerging in Victoria where we know of the weather conditions particularly changing over the next few days," he said on Sunday.
"I want to assure Australians outside New South Wales ... our attention is equally there and ensuring the coordinated effort across states and territories is being put in place."
The temperature is expected to soar into the 40s on Monday across Victoria.
Melbourne is expected to reach 43C on Monday - making it the third time this month it has tipped over 40C, which hasn't happened since 1897.
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