‘Too late’: Properties lost and residents ordered to leave as bushfires rage in Victoria

At least three properties have been destroyed and residents are being ordered to evacuate as an out-of-control bushfire in Victoria worsens in a blistering heatwave, with temperatures soaring to almost 50C.

Speaking at the state control centre on Tuesday, Forest Fire Management Victoria chief Chris Hardman confirmed he knew of three properties that had been destroyed by the fire so far.

He said the wind change would escalate the fire’s behaviour significantly, adding that the blaze had already doubled in size to exceed 10,000 sqkm.

“If you have chosen to stay and defend, you won’t be able to leave your property at the 11th minute … many people have been killed in the past by leaving too late,” he warned.

Mr Hardman said several property owners had decided to stay and defend their homes.

Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said firefighters were battling six major blazes across the state, including three that were out of control in Dargo, Walwa and The Otways.

“Last night we had over 120 people take refuge in our emergency relief centre in Colac,” Mr Wiebusch said.

“So if people are looking to leave and they don’t have anywhere to go, that is what those centres are there for.”

A total fire ban has been extended until tomorrow for the Wimmera and north-east districts, including the towns of Horsham, Edenhope, St Arnaud, Stawell, Halls Gap, Wangaratta, Bright, Wodonga and Falls Creek.

The skies have turned a sinister shade of red and more than 1000 properties are at risk, with the Bureau of Meteorology stating Victoria was under extreme fire dangers due to temperatures reaching the mid-40s.

According to Weatherzone, the northwest Victorian town of Walpeup has smashed the state’s 2009 heat record after reaching 48.9 degrees on Tuesday.

In Horsham, record temperatures have also been surpassed with a whopping 47.8C.

However, a cool change is set to come through on Tuesday afternoon in Western Victoria and reach the bushfire across the Otway region by 6pm.

The cool change will push through Melbourne and northern parts of Victoria into the evening, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

It is understood the blaze has already burnt more than 10,000ha and has doubled in size since breaking containment lines on Saturday.

There are six major bushfires burning in the state, including the Dargo-Wonnangatta bushfire, the Walwa fire in Victoria’s north-east and the Carlisle River fire in the state’s Otways.

Residents in Barongarook, Gellibrand, Kawarren and Lovat have been issued an emergency warning to evacuate immediately due to the “life-threatening” fires.

“If you are located in these areas, it is recommended you evacuate immediately and move to a safer location away from the fire,” the VicEmergency warning read.

“Shelter indoors when the fire arrives – protect yourself from the radiant heat.”

Residents in Bucheen Creek, Cravensville and parts of the southern end of the Nariel Valley and the surrounds have been told to evacuate their homes immediately and it is “not safe to return”.

Those in Nariel Valley, including McNamara Crossing, Staceys Bridge and surrounds, have been warned to “leave now” as the fire spreads through the Wabba Wilderness Park.

Mr Hardman earlier told Sunrise that backburning undertaken overnight managed to “buy some time” for firefighters, but the intense heat wouldn’t make the conditions easier.

“There is a really strong going to come across around 5pm this evening, and the fire will move rapidly and it will be dangerous for people to be anywhere close,” he said.

“The fire behaviour (is) significant, and it may be nearly impossible for us to be able to suppress those fires under those conditions, so just really looking for the community to get behind messages and follow those directions.”

Several watch and act warnings are in place across Victoria as the heat intensifies the fires.

Residents in Aire Valley, Barongarook, Barongarook West, Beech Forest, Coram, Gellibrand, Gerangamete, Kawarren, Lovat, Tulloh, Wimba have been told to evacuate immediately as the fires at the Carlisle River and Gellibrand remain out of control.

“If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you,” the VicEmergency website read.

Due to an out-of-control fire in the Wonnangatta Dargo Complex, a watch and act warning is in place for Abbeyard, Arbuckle, Billabong, Black Snake Creek, Budgee Budgee, Castleburn, Cobbannah, Cowa, Crooked River, Dargo, Gibbs, Grant, Hawkhurst, Hogtown, Howitt Plains, Howittville, Maguires, Miowera, Moornapa, Moroka, Naarun, Peter the Swede, Selwyn, Shepherdson, Talbotville, Toolome, Waterford, Winchester, Wongungarra, Wonnangatta.

Meanwhile, residents in the Walwa region have been advised it is “not safe to return” as the bushfires continue burning.

The watch and act warning is in place for Bullioh, Koetong, Shelley, Lucyvale, Berringama and surrounds.

“If you left the area, it is not safe to return. Be aware of potential dangerous bushfire and tree hazards,” the warning reads.

Mr Hines said the scorching temperatures, combined with gusty winds, could exacerbate the already intense flames.

Australia crowned ‘hottest place on earth’

Fifteen locations in Australia were on Monday declared the hottest on earth.

Cedena Airport in South Australia took the crown with a maximum temperature of 49.3C, followed by Noona in Cobar shire, NSW, which recorded a high of 48C.

The oppressive heatwave is expected to peak on Tuesday across South Australia, Victoria, the ACT and NSW, with temperatures expected to hit 45C in Melbourne – marking one of the hottest days in almost two decades.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said the “very hot” conditions could potentially break records.

“We’re likely to see many locations approach or exceed, not only their January maximum temperature records, but some locations could possibly approach or exceed their all-time maximum temperature records,” he told NewsWire.

However, a cool change is set to come through for South Australia, according to senior meteorologist Johnathan How from the bureau, who says temperatures will fall “quite significantly” across western and southern parts of South Australia, due to dry south westerly winds on Tuesday afternoon.

Heatwave warnings across three states

While there were no record-breaking temperatures recorded in Victoria on Monday, senior meteorologist Angus Hines warned it might be a different story on Tuesday.

“Many January temperature records in western and central Victoria, as well as southeastern South Australia, could be under threat today, including potentially the all-time warmest Victorian temperature,” he said.

An extreme heatwave warning has been issued for Victoria’s North East and East Gippsland regions, with temperatures tipped to reach the low to high 40s.

Meanwhile, a severe heatwave warning has been set for the state’s Central and Central West, spanning Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, West and South Gippsland and North Central.

Temperatures in Pinnaroo in the state’s west are expected to hit 47C, while they are set to reach 45C in Geelong, 41C in Mansfield and 38C in Moe.

Melbourne is likely to hit 45C by 4pm before a cool change sets in later in the evening.

“Melbourne is forecast to have its warmest day since Black Saturday, with an alarming maximum temperature in the city of 45C,” Mr Hines said.

“The suburbs of Melbourne are all forecast to reach somewhere between 44C and 46C today.”

Those across the border in SA will also be feeling the scorching heat, with the mercury in Renmark to reach a maximum of 48C before a cool change sweeps through the state during the afternoon.

On Monday, temperatures reached 49.5C in Ceduna, marking the hottest day since records began 84 years ago.

“That was the fourth highest temperature ever recorded in South Australia,” Mr Hines said.

Both Port Augusta and Wudinna reported temperatures of 48.5C, while temperatures peaked at 48.2C in Tarcoola and 48.1C in Port Pirie.

“All of these temperatures comfortably land in the top five warmest days on record at those locations,” he said.

On Tuesday, Adelaide is forecast to reach 41C by noon but will cool again once the sun goes down.

“On Tuesday morning, the temperature hasn’t dropped below 34C in Adelaide, and it’s likely to shoot back up into the 40s on Tuesday as the day starts to warm,” Mr Hines said.

Temperatures will also be extreme in NSW, with an extreme heatwave warning in Snowy Mountains, South West Slopes and Upper Western regions.

On Monday, the heat reached 47.9C in Wilcannia, 46.7C in Tibooburra and 46.3C in Broken Hill.

A severe heatwave warning is in place for the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Riverina and Lower Western regions of NSW.

“Locations likely to be impacted include Armidale, Albury, Broken Hill, Bourke, Dubbo, Deniliquin, Moree, Orange, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga,” the bureau’s website read.

“Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” the bureau said.

Temperatures in Sydney will not be as extreme, likely to peak at 28C by 3pm on Tuesday.

Despite a cool change coming for Melbourne and Adelaide on Wednesday, other areas won’t be as lucky, with some in NSW to hit a maximum of 50C by the end of the week.

“After what is likely to be record-breaking heat (on Tuesday), Wednesday will be another extremely hot day,” Mr Hines said.

“Record-breaking heat will persist in other areas, particularly northern and eastern Victoria, as well as western and southern NSW, which includes ACT.

“Many areas of the far west of NSW could be between 47C and 49C on Wednesday, with numerous records under serious threat.

“Coastal areas continue to cool off later in the week on Thursday and Friday, but the baking heat will persist inland, with 48C to 50C maximum temperatures forecast around the tri-state border.”

Extreme fire danger forces closures

In Melbourne’s east, a popular tourist spot has been shut as extreme fire dangers threaten the scenery.

The Dandenong Ranges have been closed due to intense heat and extreme fire danger, with Explore Melbourne urging visitors to stay away from popular locations, including the 1000 Steps – Kokoda Memorial Walk, Ferntree Gully Picnic Grounds, and the George Tindale Memorial Garden.

“Stay away from closed areas and follow emergency advice,” the warning reads.