Fire-hit residents in Western Victoria have been told to prepare to leave ahead of worsening fire conditions forecast tomorrow, expected to be the worst in four years.
More than half of the state is under an extreme fire danger warning, but in the far west fire district of Wimmera tomorrow, it has been listed as catastrophic.
Meanwhile, the large bushfire burning near Ballarat has already claimed six homes.
For the latest advice and warnings, visit Vic Emergency website
A Watch and Act alert remained in place for Amphitheatre, Bayindeen, Ben Nevis, Chute, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlogie, Glenpatrick, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch, Main Lead, Waterloo and Raglan.
Residents have been told it’s not safe to return and that conditions could change quickly.
Firefighting operations continued overnight as crews battled the Bayindeen-Rocky Road that has grown to nearly 20,000 hectares since it started last Thursday.
Crews are hoping to contain the 17,500-hectare blaze before tomorrow which is predicted to potentially be the worst day for bushfire weather conditions Victoria has seen since 2020.
Temperatures in the mid-40 degree range are forecast for mid-west Victoria tomorrow with the possibility of strong, hot winds, and dry lightning.
Bushfires burning in Victoria’s west turn sky glowing red
Melbourne is set to hit 38 degrees. while Mildura has been forecast to hit 44 degrees.
About 900 firefighters and fire-fighting aircraft have been battling the blazes, and interstate crews have been mobilised to help in Victoria.
The fire emergency came as parts of central and western Victoria have endured their driest February in more than 30 years, reports Weatherzone.
Rain gauges stretching from Melbourne up to Mildura have received barely any rain this month, with this dry weather also coinciding with extreme heat at times.
The outbreak of fires that have scorched the landscape in the last couple of weeks have highlighted the impact of this month’s lacklustre rainfall in central and western Victoria.
