Updated ,first published
Numerous Otway Ranges towns are facing renewed fire threat as a blaze that began two weeks ago flared up in extreme heat and broke containment lines.
People in the path of the Carlisle River fire south-west of Colac have been told it is too late to leave and to immediately find shelter, while residents to the north are urged to leave immediately as a wind shift expands the danger zone.
Emergency services warned people in the townships of Barongarook, Barongarook West, Carlisle River, Irrewillipe, Irrewillipe East, Kawarren and Lovat to leave immediately, as a wind change was expected to push the fire towards Barongarook.
Roads are closed in 11 other locations – Beech Forest, Carlisle River, Charleys Creek, Dinmont, Ferguson, Gellibrand, Kincaid, Lavers Hill, Pile Siding, Weeaproinah, Wimba and Wyelangta – where it is too late to leave and residents are urged to seek shelter indoors.
Firefighters say the fire breached containment lines on a day of extreme fire danger in the south-west, where the temperature reached 39 degrees in parts of the Otways just after 5pm. It has already burnt 200 hectares beyond its previous footprint.
An emergency relief centre has been set up at the Colac Showgrounds for people displaced by the fires, and animals can be brought there too.
Additional information is available at Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre.
Forest Fire Management Victoria said people must take shelter before the fire arrived. “The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you,” the agency said in its latest alert.
“Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.”
More than 30 vehicles are responding to the fire, which has already burned through more than 5000 hectares of national park in two-and-a-half weeks.
Another bushfire in the national park at Kennedy’s Creek remains contained, having burnt through more than 3000 hectares.
Today is a total fire ban day across Victoria, and the Country Fire Authority has also just announced another total fire ban for Northern Country, North Central, North East and East Gippsland on Sunday.
The high temperatures have also prompted the Australian Open to suspend play on all its outside courts and close the roofs of the indoor stadiums.
Saturday is the first day of a days-long heatwave forecast for Victoria, with the hottest day anticipated to be Tuesday.
Melbourne is expected to reach 43 that day, and Mildura 48, threatening temperature records for the state.
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