Residents in north-east Victoria warned to ‘take shelter now’ as out-of-control bushfires continue to rage
A man aged in his 60s is dead and hundreds of homes have been razed as out-of-control bushfires continue to rip through Victoria.
A man aged in his 60s is dead and hundreds of homes have been razed as out-of-control bushfires continue to rip through Victoria.
The man’s body was found at Gobur in the Longwood area on Sunday, about 100m from his car, which had run off the road.
The area was scorched when the Longwood blaze tore through the region on Friday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The threat has eased from the Longwood fire, with cooler temperatures and lighter winds aiding efforts to bring it under control.
However, a dozen deadly bushfires were still blazing across Victoria on Monday afternoon with emergency warnings in place for blazes near Walwa in the state’s northeast and the Otways in the southwest.
Earlier on Monday residents in north-east Victoria were warned to “take shelter now” as wild bushfires rage near the New South Wales border.
Residents in Bungil, Burrowye, Granya and surrounding areas were also ordered to “leave immediately” as an out-of-control bushfire rapidly spread 25km west of Walwa.
The SES have urged locals from Biggara, Colac Colac, Corryong, Cudgewa, Nariel Valley, Thowgla Valley, Towong, Walwa to continue seeking shelter as it was “not safe to return”.
A relief centre has been set up at the Wodonga Racing and Exhibition Centre.
Authorities warn the bushfire threat is far from over as wind, dry fuel and hot conditions continue to challenge firefighters who are battling the blazes around the clock.
Thousands of firefighters from Victoria and interstate, including crews from the Northern Territory, continued their efforts, but strong winds and parched conditions continue to drive the fire.
More than 350 structures, including about 100 homes, have been destroyed since last week, with more than 1000 agricultural properties potentially impacted.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Monday pledged assistance payments for those affected by the fires, which have burned through about 400,000 hectares of land, destroyed 350 structures and claimed at least one life.
The structures lost in blazes across the state include homes, businesses, schools and outbuildings.
Speaking to the media at Natimuk – a tiny town in the Wimmera region which was devastated by fire over the weekend – the Premier announced additional funding for eligible Victorians.
“I want to be very clear that the government will stand in support of this community and indeed all fire affected communities across the state,” she said.
Payments of up to $52,250 will be available to eligible uninsured households, which Ms Allan said would help them “re-establish their principal place of residence”.
One-off, non-means-tested payments of $1000 are available for adults and $400 per child.
Immediate hardship allowance payments are also accessible, with up to $2380 available for families.
“These fires have caused unimaginable loss for so many across Victoria – that’s why we are delivering more financial and mental health support to help ease some of the burden facing our farmers and regional communities,” she said.
The assistance includes $1m funding for free mental health support for farmers and residents in the area.
From Friday, grants of up to $5000 will be available for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
Ms Allan said the assistance was “about recognising there are going to be many who have financial difficulty”.
“It’s in recognition that alongside the physical rebuilding, there’s a lot of trauma, a lot of impact that we also need to support people individually with the trauma that has been experienced but also families and communities as well,” she said.
An additional $80m has been provided to the Country Fire Authority, which has been allocated to training, water storage, equipment and the operation of the aerial fleet.
The assistance program also includes the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, allowing the public to make donations directly to affected farmers.
“We know there are so many Victorians out there who want to dig deep to support our farmers and fire-affected communities, that’s why we have set up the Victorian Bushfire Appeal,” Ms Allan said.
“Every dollar raised through this appeal will go back into providing support for fire-affected communities and how that funding is allocated will be guided by the advice we get from fire-affected communities.
“Every dollar will go to where it is needed.”
Despite a cold front rupturing the heatwave across the majority of the state, the Bureau of Meteorology warned the bushfires were still an extreme risk as strong easterly winds fuel further flames.
“(On Monday and Tuesday), we’re going to see much lighter winds … so hopefully that allows firefighters to try and get an upper hand on some of those fires,” senior meteorologist Dean Narramore told NewsWire.
“But they’re still going to burn – especially those large fires the Longwood and the Alpine fire – they’re so large they’re going to burn for weeks anyway, or until we see widespread heavy rainfall.”
Later this week, easterly winds will bring more humidity, cloud cover and moisture to the state. However, Mr Narramore said it wouldn’t offer much relief for the fire-affected areas.
“We could see some rain through Gippsland … later this week and maybe through the Melbourne area, but unfortunately, most of the fires are … north of the ranges and they are not going to see much rainfall,” he said.
A dry six-month period has helped fuel the fires across the state’s north and west.
“Combined with the hotter weather as well – particularly through inland areas – has allowed a lot of areas to dry out,” Mr Narramore said.
“The really intense extreme conditions we saw last week and the thunderstorms, the very hot air started a lot of fires around the state because the vegetation is quite dry now.”
A total fire ban has been put in place for the north east and north central regions of the state.
Since late last week the inferno has consumed forests, farms and homes, forcing thousands to flee as smoke chokes the sky.
Countless livestock and other animals have also been killed.
Ruffy Country Fire Authority Captain George Noye told AAP half of the small town’s residents had lost either their homes or a structure.
The local primary school is also unrecognisable after being burned to the ground.
He’s been working with some locals to euthanise at least 600 sheep who survived the blaze, but were badly injured.
In affected areas, roads remain blocked, electricity networks disrupted and air quality in nearby towns remains hazardous.
Smoke from the fires is affecting air quality across parts of Victoria and even being carried into NSW and the ACT, with health warnings in effect.
Residents are urged to follow VicEmergency alerts via app, website or local broadcasts for real-time updates.
Communities remain on edge and the race to contain the flames — and save lives — is far from over.
- With AAP, Newswire
Stay informed:
VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
