Victoria warned to expect ‘upper end of extreme’ fire behaviour as heatwave builds

Officials warned that the entirety of Victoria will likely experience extreme fire behaviour on Friday as a heatwave continues, saying any bushfires that break out will probably be uncontrollable.

Jason Heffernan, chief officer of the Country Fire Authority, said authorities expect "the upper end of extreme across the entire state for Friday," with mid-40C temperatures and "an even greater increasing of those very hot northerly winds." Heffernan said total fire bans would continue for some areas on Thursday as officials prepare for the coming days.

Vicki Ward, the Victorian minister for emergency services, described conditions as "incredibly challenging" and officials urged all Victorians to be prepared with an evacuation plan and for unexpected power outages. Powercor said networks are designed to cope but extreme conditions could increase the risk of outages and urged customers to charge phones, have a battery-powered radio and sign up for SMS notifications.

Emergency warnings are already in place in parts of the state, including a leave-immediately alert for towns in north-east Victoria around Bungil, Thologolong and Granya and an emergency warning in central Victoria around Moyreisk, Natte Yallock, Redbank and Stuart Mill. Officials said fires under the forecast conditions are uncontrollable and, if a fire takes hold, "it will spread very quickly."

Key Topics

World, Victoria, Bushfire, Heatwave, Country Fire Authority, Jason Heffernan