‘Not safe to return: Blaze destroys six homes
Residents in parts of Victoria’s west are being warned it is not yet safe for them to return home as an out of control bushfire destroys six residential homes.
Firefighters are currently working to gain control of a dangerous bushfire burning between Raglan and Mount Cole as it continues to travel in a northerly direction south of Elmhurst.
“Firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now, but the situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act,” a Vic Emergency alert said.
The Bayindeen bushfire has currently burned 15,000 hectares and up to 1000 firefighters have been on the ground tackling the blaze.
Victorian emergency services minister Jaclyn Symes said six residential homes have been destroyed and more than 200 impact assessments have been completed.
“It’s fair to say that fire is not yet under control,” Ms Symes said on Sunday.
“There are about 550 firefighters on the ground today and continued air attack in relation to trying to, as best as possible, suppress that fire, particularly around the edges because they want to make sure they are well placed for concerning whether that we are expecting mid week.
“228 impact assessments have been done in that community and sadly I can report that we have confirmation that six residential homes have been destroyed.
“Obviously that is very sobering news for those families and we will certainly be having support measures for those communities, once that advice becomes more available.”
Temperatures are set to reach 40C on Wednesday and authorities are warning Victorians in regional communities to prepare their safety plan.
Hot winds and dry lightning are also anticipated to hit the state.
Ms Symes said CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan has expressed his “grave concerns” for what could eventuate.
“We do hold concerns about the weather this week, particularly Wednesday into Thursday,” Ms Symes said.
“What we know is that the indicators are in the extreme range.”
Chief Fire Officer of Forest Fire Management Chris Hardman said hundreds of firefighters will continue to try prevent the spread of the fire.
“What people really do need to know this is a big fire,” he said according to 9 NEWS.
“More than 500 firefighters will be on these fires today, working really hard to contain those fires and stop the spread.
“We are very hopeful with more benign weather conditions today, that we will see some significant improvement.
“There are still many structures to be assessed that have been looked at from aerial intelligence gathering.”
Three homes were confirmed to be lost as of Saturday morning and Premier Jacinta Allan said it will take time to assess the full extent of the damage.
Relief centres are open at Alexandra Oval in Ararat, Princes Park Reserve in Maryborough.
The centre at CE Brown Reserve in Wendouree and Beaufort Urgent Care Centre have now been closed.
Pyrenees highway at Crowlands, Beaufort-Lexton Rd, Amphitheatre Rd, Lexton Ararat Rd, Main Lead Rd and Eurambeen-Raglan road all remain closed.
An advice message has also been issued for communities in Amherst, Avoca, Beaufort, Bung Bong, Burnbank, Caralulup, Chute, Ercildoune, Eurambeen, Evansford, Glenbrae, Lamplough, Landsborough, Langi Kal Kal, Lexton, Lillicur, Percydale, Raglan, Rosyth, Talbot, Trawalla, Warrenmang, Waterloo, Waubra.
There is currently no threat to residents in those areas but Vic Emergency has warned locals to stay informed and plan ahead in case the situation changes.
For live updates check the VicEmergency website.
