Tens of thousands in Victoria urged to evacuate due to catastrophic fire danger, Australia

With catastrophic fire ratings in Victoria’s Wimmera region and temperatures forecast to reach 45 °C (113 °F), tens of thousands are urged to evacuate amid escalating bushfire threats.

On February 28, 2024, residents of Victoria, Australia, were urged to evacuate as the region grapples with severe bushfire conditions, intensified by an extreme heat wave.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported temperatures in Mildura might hit 45 °C (113 °F), with large parts of Victoria, including the Wimmera region, facing catastrophic fire warnings.

A bushfire near Ballarat, burning since last Thursday, has already resulted in the destruction of six homes and significant livestock loss, covering an area of over 20 000 hectares (49 421 acres). The Victoria Fire Department, battling the blaze, emphasized the day’s challenges, with Chief Officer Jason Heffernan advising immediate community action due to the unpredictable nature of the fire spread, exacerbated by dry lightning and strong winds.

Heffernan strongly recommended evacuation, especially for those unprepared for a prolonged firefight, highlighting the extreme dangers posed by the current conditions. More than 100 state forests have been closed, and several educational institutions shut down as precautions.

This bushfire event, the most severe since the Black Summer wildfires of 2019-2020, poses a significant threat to Victoria, with authorities and firefighters urging residents to prioritize safety by evacuating high-risk areas promptly.

References:

¹ ‘Catastrophic’ fire danger in Victoria’s west as hot conditions put authorities on high alert – ABC – February 28, 2024

² Thousands evacuated in Australia due to heat wave, bushfire risk – Reuters – February 28, 2024

Featured image credit: JMA/Himawari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers. Acquired at 06:30 UTC on February 28, 2024