Too late to leave: Urgent warning is issued to residents as SEVEN major bushfires burn in Victoria amid blistering heatwave
Residents in Victoria’s south-west have been told it is too late to leave and seek shelter immediately as an out-of-control bushfire rages towards a town.
The Carlisle River fire is now one kilometre from the community of Gellibrand and is travelling in an easterly direction.
Authorities have warned it is now ‘too late to leave the area safely’ and that the fire could ‘impact homes and lives’ at any time.
‘You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,’ an emergency warning by VicEmergency states.
‘If you have not left, the safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.’
State Control Centre spokesperson, Reegan Key, said there was no information available yet about property losses.
‘We have over 50 fire trucks down in that Gellibrand and Carlisle River area,’ Ms Key told ABC Radio.
‘We’re confident in the protection that we have there but that fire’s taken quite a significant run overnight.’
The Carlisle River bushfire that is not yet under control and is one kilometre from the town
Residents have been warned it is now ‘too late to leave the area safely’ and to shelter now
It is believed the blaze grew to about 8000ha on Saturday night.
More than a dozen other communities are now under a Watch and Act warning after the fire jumped containment lines on Saturday afternoon.
Residents in Barongarook, Barongarook West, Irrewillipe East, Irrewillipie, Kawarren, Lovat, Wimba and Gerangamete are now advisted to ‘monitor conditions and be ready to act.’
The fire, which started on January 10, has also caused the air quality across the Otways, Geelong, Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island, to deteriorate.
‘Due to weather conditions, smoke may linger over the coming hours,’ a VicEmergency statement read.
‘The smoke may aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause irritated eyes, coughing and wheezing.’
More to come.
