The state of Victoria is bracing for a day of extreme peril, with authorities issuing a catastrophic bushfire danger warning for several regions. Residents in the most at-risk areas have been instructed to evacuate immediately, as the state faces its most severe fire conditions since the devastating Black Summer of 2019-20.
State on Highest Alert as Temperatures Soar
Emergency services have placed Victoria on its highest level of alert. A catastrophic fire danger rating is now in effect for the Southwest, Wimmera, Northern Country, and Northern Central districts. The remainder of the state is under an extreme fire danger rating.
The dire situation is being driven by a severe heatwave, with Victorians enduring scorching temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius and above. In response, a total fire ban has been declared across the state.
Major Blazes Burn, Evacuation Orders Issued
Two significant fires are already burning out of control, located in the state's central north and northwest regions. These fires pose an immediate threat to life and property.
Authorities have delivered a clear and urgent message to communities in the catastrophic zones: leave your homes before it is too late. Officials specifically advised residents to evacuate no later than 7:00 AM on Friday morning to ensure their safety.
Thousands of people have been told to abandon their properties, with emergency warnings emphasising that lives are at risk from these fast-moving and unpredictable fires.
Echoes of Black Summer
The current fire threat represents the most dangerous conditions Victoria has confronted since the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20. That season left a tragic and indelible mark on the nation, resulting in the loss of five lives in Victoria and the burning of a staggering 1.5 million hectares of land.
The memory of that disaster is fuelling the urgent response from fire agencies today, who are determined to prevent a similar tragedy. Communities are being urged to have their bushfire survival plans activated and ready.
Victorians are advised to stay informed through official emergency channels, avoid any activities that could spark a fire, and heed all warnings from authorities without delay.
