Victorians under threat from bushfires are being told to leave home before midday with catastrophic conditions forecast for the state’s west.
Northern Grampians shire mayor Rob Haswell said the region was prepared, and relief centres would be opened if required.
“My message to our residents here is leave early, stay aware, stay alert to what’s happening on the radio … keep your eyes open and leave early,” he told ABC.
“There’s nothing to be gained by staying behind, your life may depend on the decisions you make even before there is a fire.”
Fire has burnt through more than 22,000 hectares in the state’s west. Credit: David Crosling
The Northern Grampians shire takes in the Wimmera region, where catastrophic bushfire conditions have been forecast. Temperatures are expected to reach the high 30s, with wind gusts of up to 80km/h.
Harris said they were anticipating extreme heat and preparing for high winds across the Wimmera. He said the warning from emergency services had been to expect the worst.
“Houses and buildings burst into flames long before the actual fire reaches them …that’s the situation to do with catastrophic,” he said.
Harris said it had been a warm night on Tuesday and was already warming up on Wednesday morning.
“I’ve never seen the conditions like this. I thought it was bad two weeks ago when we had the fires, but this is warning bells going off everywhere,” he said.
“The most important thing I can say … is: please leave early, put the things in the car, protect your pets, get in the car. Houses can be rebuilt, lives that are lost can never be brought back.”
Source Agencies
