Authorities have strongly advised several communities in Victoria’s western region to evacuate urgently as firefighters continue their efforts to combat multiple bushfires raging across the area.
A brief but intense heatwave has enveloped a significant portion of southern Australia, resulting in extremely hot, arid, and gusty conditions, with total fire bans enforced and certain regions facing catastrophic fire danger alerts.
On Saturday afternoon, an emergency warning was issued specifically for areas in Dereel, located approximately 33 kilometers south of Ballarat, highlighting the escalating risks posed by the fires.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has alerted residents living along Camms Road that a bushfire is currently out-of-control, advising those in the vicinity between Geggies Road and Gumley Road to evacuate immediately “before conditions become too dangerous to remain.”
Additionally, a watch and act warning has been released for nearby communities including Barunah Park, Mount Mercer, Rokewood, and Shelford, urging residents to evacuate without delay as the bushfire progresses.
Further south, around 200 residents in Gellibrand, situated 24 kilometers south of Colac, were also instructed to leave their homes immediately due to a bushfire that is currently uncontrollable on Railway Line Road, Kawarren, and advancing southward towards Frys Road.
“Don’t wait; leaving now is the safest option,” emphasized the CFA. “Conditions can change rapidly for the worse. Emergency services may not be able to assist you if you choose to remain. By staying, you and your family may be putting yourselves at serious risk of injury or worse.”
A similar emergency notice was issued for the areas of Kadnook and Powers Creek, where a bushfire has erupted within a blue gum plantation and is currently spiraling out of control.
Earlier, Jonathan How, a forecaster with the Bureau of Meteorology, indicated that the interplay of elevated temperatures and strong winds was significantly heightening fire risks on Saturday, particularly affecting South Australia and Victoria.
Across these states—as well as New South Wales and Tasmania—temperatures have soared to levels 6 to 12 degrees Celsius above the norm for this time of year.
“Thankfully, this heatwave is not expected to last long, as it’s primarily a one-day phenomenon for most areas today,” How stated, hinting at warmer, humid conditions in the tropics that are projected to drive wet weather over Australia starting Saturday night.
In South Australia, temperatures surged into the high 30s and low 40s on Saturday, with a peak of 40 degrees Celsius projected for Whyalla and Murray Bridge, while Port Augusta and Renmark are expected to reach 39 and 38 degrees respectively. The forecast for Adelaide is a high of 36 degrees Celsius.
The Country Fire Service of South Australia has warned of catastrophic fire danger for the eastern Eyre peninsula and Yorke peninsula, with most southern and coastal districts enduring extreme fire danger conditions. Total fire bans remain in effect across much of the region on Saturday.
“Extreme fire danger signifies that a fire igniting would escalate dangerously in a short timeframe,” How explained. “Catastrophic represents the highest possible fire danger level, indicating that any fire that starts will be exceedingly hazardous and tough to manage.”
Melbourne and central Victoria currently face a high fire danger, while the Mallee and Wimmera regions to the northwest endure extreme fire danger levels with total fire bans enforced.
The bureau has projected maximum temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius in Mildura, 36 degrees in Shepparton, and 35 degrees in Bendigo, while Melbourne is anticipated to peak at 34 degrees Celsius.
According to Weatherzone, most of southern and eastern South Australia, as well as extensive areas of Victoria, have suffered significant rain deficits this year. Whyalla, under a catastrophic fire danger rating on Saturday, has received only 118 millimeters of rainfall thus far—less than half of the expected annual total for this point in the year.
As for Hobart, temperatures were expected to climb to 25 degrees on Saturday, above the average for the Tasmanian capital, with Sydney mirroring this trend with a maximum of 24 degrees.
How highlighted a potential risk of dry lightning on Saturday across New South Wales and northern Victoria, which could ignite new fires, compounding the already tense situations in these regions.
What are the main factors contributing to the current bushfire conditions in Victoria?
**Interview with Jonathan How, Forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Jonathan. With the current situation in Victoria and other southern states, can you give us an overview of what’s driving these intense bushfire conditions?
**Jonathan How:** Absolutely. We are experiencing a significant heatwave that is unusual for this time of year. Temperatures have soared 6 to 12 degrees Celsius above average, combined with strong winds. This creates an arid environment, which heightens the risk of bushfires. The combination of these factors is crucial in precipitating the dangerous fire conditions we’re observing right now.
**Editor:** Can you elaborate on how this heatwave is impacting fire risks specifically?
**Jonathan How:** Certainly. The dry, hot air, along with gusty winds, dries out vegetation, making it highly flammable. When temperatures spike, the possibility of ignition increases dramatically, which is why we see multiple bushfires erupting simultaneously. It’s a perfect storm for fire risk—this is especially pronounced in areas like Dereel and Gellibrand, where residents are being warned to evacuate.
**Editor:** What can residents and communities do in these kind of situations?
**Jonathan How:** The foremost advice is to heed evacuation orders from authorities immediately, as conditions can change rapidly. The Country Fire Authority has been clear: exiting the area before conditions worsen is the safest choice. It’s critical for everyone to have an emergency plan, which includes knowing evacuation routes and having essential items ready to go.
**Editor:** You mentioned that this heatwave is expected to be short-lived; what does the forecast look like after this?
**Jonathan How:** Yes, that’s correct. This heatwave is primarily expected to be a one-day phenomenon for many areas. We anticipate a shift in the weather patterns, with warmer, more humid conditions expected to move in from the tropics. This may bring wet weather starting later today and into the next week, which should help alleviate some of the fire conditions. However, the immediate threat remains, and vigilance is crucial.
**Editor:** Thank you, Jonathan, for your insights and for sharing important safety information during this critical time.
**Jonathan How:** Thank you for having me. Stay safe, everyone.
