Walwa, Longwood: Bushfires rip through rural Victoria as residents urged to ‘take shelter’
Two emergency fire warnings are place in rural Victoria, with authorities warning it is too late to evacuate from one of them.
The bushfire in Longwood is out of control and it is no longer safe to evacuate.
VicEmergency have urged anyone in Longwood, Longwood East, Ruffy, Tarcombe and Upton Hill to “take shelter now”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” they said.
“The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.”
This warning replaces an earlier watch and act message issued at 2.56pm local time.
Sheltering locals have been told to protect themselves by wearing long clothes made from cotton or wool and leather boots. The advice is to fully close up the home and turn off cooling systems.
“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.”
Evacuation warning for Walwa
A second warning has been issued for Bungil, Granya and Thologolong, as a bushfire 25km West of Walwa remains uncontrolled.
Authorities warn properties in this area could be affected by the blaze, which is travelling south from inside of Mt Lawson State Park toward Bungil.
VicEmergency is urging anyone in the area to evacuate now.
“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” they said.
“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”
Chris Hardman, from Forest Fire management, told the ABC about 305 firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which has burned through about 1000 hectares of land.
Further, about 12 aircraft and 30 bulldozers are being used to set up control lines.
More bushfires across Victoria
As the state grapples with its most intense heat wave in years, another bushfire is still burning in Moyreisk, though the threat level was downgraded to a watch and act warning.
Firefighters were able to slow the spread, but people are being warned the situation remains dangerous.
Other watch and act warnings have been issued across Victoria for a grassfire burning near Avenel, Mangalore, Mangalore West, Mitchellstown, Nagambie, Northwood, Puckapunyal, Tabilk.
Total fire bans are in place for the Wimmera, South West and Central regions, including Melbourne and Geelong for the first time this summer.
Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned of challenging extreme heatwave conditions “not seen since 2019-20”, with a very real risk of serious fires starting off the back of underlying dry conditions.
Country Fire Authority chief executive Jason Heffernan warned there weren’t many parts of the state immune to the fire conditions over the next 72 hours after good rainfall led to prolific grass growth, adding to ground fuel.
It has been confirmed by Mr Wiebusch that no properties have been lost in either of the major fires so far.
Authorities are raising the alarm over Friday’s expected extreme conditions, in which fires are uncontrollable.
- with AAP
