Firefighters are bracing for the most widespread hazardous conditions in Victoria since the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, as residents near the Longwood fire are told to take shelter immediately.
Four Victorian regions – the South-West, Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central – have been given a catastrophic fire danger rating, while all other regions have been given an extreme rating.
“The last time that we saw catastrophic fire danger ratings in Victoria across multiple districts, was on the 21st of November 2019, and we know the devastating impacts that we saw in the east of our state during those 2019-20 fires,” emergency management commissioner Tim Wiebusch told reporters.
“So we are talking about a very significant day for Victoria tomorrow.”
Widespread 40-degree temperatures, winds up to 100km/h and possible dry lightning made Friday a “very dire bushfire day”, the CFA’s Jason Heffernan said.
Authorities have closed public land in regions with catastrophic danger ratings, prompting the evacuation of popular camping areas. It is illegal to enter or stay in public land in these regions, including along the Goulburn River, Campaspe River, Murray River, at Lake Eildon, around the Grampians and the Great Ocean Road.
“We want people to be out there and enjoy Victoria but it is just too dangerous. It is not survivable if you are caught in a bushfire under those conditions,” Forest Fire Management chief fire officer Chris Hardman said.
There is a statewide total fire ban in place for Friday. In regions with catastrophic danger ratings, 450 childcare centres and school holiday programs will be closed.
The bushfire currently burning in Longwood has destroyed two structures in deep bushland, with authorities so far unable to determine whether they are houses or sheds. That fire has burnt more than 2700 hectares.
Residents of Avenel, Dropmore, Highlands, Ruffy, Tarcombe and Upton Hill have been warned it is too late to leave and to urgently seek shelter and wait out the blaze. “You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” a 12.30pm warning said.
The second uncontrolled blaze, burning east of Wodonga, has prompted evacuation warnings for residents in nearby Thologolonh, Bungil and Koetong.
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