Emergency Services Commissioner Andrew Crisp is on ABC Radio now. He says there are 16 fires burning across the state, a number sparked by a band of lightning that crossed Victoria last night.
“Our state is dry, it’s very dry. It’s hot, it’s dry, and it’s going to be very very windy. We could see gusts of up to 100km/h today," he says.
His advice, for those in East Gippsland: after 9am, it will be too late to leave. Find a safe place - away from forests - and shelter.
Two children and a woman in her 70s were taken to hospital over the weekend after being left in locked cars.
A primary-school aged girl and a pre-school aged boy were found in a car in a car park about 1pm yesterday. Emergency service workers broke them out. They were taken to the Monash Medical Centre suffering from heat stress.
In a second incident, a woman in her 70s was left in a locked car in a shopping centre car park at Dandenong on Friday afternoon. She was freed and taken to hospital in a stable condition.
"It is never safe to leave people or pets in cars," warns Ambulance Victoria.
The nation's volunteer firefighting force has been reduced by about 18,000 members over the past decade, with volunteer chiefs blaming an ageing cohort and toxic workplace cultures, reports Paul Sakkal.
The biggest decreases occurred in Victoria and Western Australia, with a more modest reduction on average in NSW, raising concerns about state fire services' ability to combat fires during prolonged bushfire seasons.
A CFA firefighter is seen in burnt out land near Mount Glasgow, Victoria, Thursday, November 21, 2019Credit:AAP
Victoria's Country Fire Authority shed more than 5000 volunteers in eight years, while NSW's Rural Fire Service has lost more than 3000 in four years.
A change is forecast to push across the state around midday. That will eventually bring relief from the high temperatures, but it also comes with danger.
The change will push southwesterly racing winds - of up to 90km/h - before it. When those winds hit the bushfires they could push them fast in unpredictable directions, threatening homes and lives.
Thunderstorms are also likely. They could produce lightning, damaging winds of up to 110km/h, and dust storms. Hamilton, Warrnambool, Portland, Ballarat, Geelong, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek are likely to be affected.
Three out-of-control bushfires are burning in East Gippsland, all menacing townships. Firefighters are worried today's heat and squally winds could push them into populated areas.
The first fire started at West Side Barmouth Spur and has now burned through 83652 ha. An emergency warning is current for that fire, taking in the townships of Brookville, Dogtown, Double Bridges, Ensay, Holstons, Nunniong, Reedy Flat, Stirling, Tambo Crossing, Timbarra, and Wattle Circle.
The West Side Barmouth Spur fire, left, and the Goongerah fire, right. Credit: Emergency Management Victoria
A second, smaller fire burning about 28km west of Goongerah led to an evacuation order for that area Sunday morning.
A third fire at Wingan River in the state's far east is also burning. The ABC are reporting it has spread significantly overnight - all the way up to the coast.
Why is everyone so worried about bushfires today?
Two major reasons: heat and wind.
We're expecting extreme heat right across the state today. Look at some of the top temps:
- Mildura: 45
- Swan Hill: 45
- Ouyen: 45
- Horsham: 44
- Bendigo: 43
- Shepparton: 44
- Wangaratta: 43
And it will be 43 in Melbourne too. But heat alone does not make for dangerous bushfire conditions. It is wind that fans the flames.
Strong winds are expected across the state all day, but the real danger will come around 1pm when a change will sweep across the south-west coast, potentially changing the direction of the fire. Hence why the CFA is warning of extreme fire danger right across the state.
As the mercury climbs, spare a thought today for our native animals. Many of them can survive one day of extreme heat, but multiple days can lead to dehydration and death.
Wildlife Victoria is expecting hundreds of calls today for distressed animals. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help.
If you spot an animal in distress (and it's safe to do so) you can pick it up and put it in a box, and then place that box in a cool spot in your house.
If the animal is in serious trouble it can be taken to your nearby vet, who will happily treat it for free.
But the number one thing to do is this: leave a bowl of water outside. Put it somewhere shady (and not accessible by your dog). Drop a few pebbles and sticks in it so insects can drink as well.
“That will help hundreds and hundreds of animals, even tiny insects,” says Wildlife Victoria's Caroline Dazey. “Everyone who does, says they are amazed by how many creatures came to that tub.
“If everyone did it our wildlife would be in much better shape.”
While fire danger is extreme across almost the entire state today, authorities are most worried about East Gippsland - which led them to take the unprecedented step last night of urging 30,000 holidaymakers to leave immediately.
The fear is fires in the region could close the Princes Highway, leaving thousands stranded.
Two bushfires have been burning near Ensay and Tambo Crossing for the last several days. Today's extreme temperatures could push them towards towns and people.
CFA Fire Trucks travelled in convoy towards East Gippsland on Friday ahead of expected dangerous fire weather. Credit:CFA South East Region - ACO Trevor Owen
Today's extreme heat will put the state's transport network under extreme strain.
V/Line trains will be running on an extreme heat schedule, which may result in slower services and some trains being replaced by buses.
Expect delays on the roads as well. VicRoads are warning drivers to expect delays of up to 60 minutes travelling toward the city via the West Gate Bridge. VicRoads suggests leaving the freeway early and taking Geelong Road instead.
We'll keep you updated as the day develops.
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