Bushfire in Victoria Destroys Three Homes with Potential for More Losses
The count of homes destroyed by a large bushfire in western Victoria has now reached three as firefighters work hard to contain its spread.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) on Feb. 24 confirmed the fire west of Ballarat, covering over 15 hectares, has also destroyed sheds and other structures.
The CFA reported that the fire is moving towards Elmhurst and Amphitheatre in a northerly direction. These areas are approximately 70 km northwest of Ballarat.
The expected high temperature for Elmhurst on Feb. 24 is 28C.
Residents from nearby areas were urged earlier in the week to evacuate their homes immediately and wait for the CFA’s clearance before returning.
These areas include Avoca, Bayindeen, Chute, Elmhurst, Mount Lonarch, Main Lead, Raglan, Middle Creek, Waterloo, Glenlofty, Glenpatrick, Glenshee, Green Hill Creek, Nowhere Creek, Amphitheatre, Crowlands, Eversley, Landsborough, Percydale, and Warrenmang.
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Approximately 500 firefighters are set to combat the blaze on Feb. 24, with the assistance of water bombing aircraft.
Assessment teams are evaluating the extent of the damage, but only after areas are deemed safe to access.
Road closures are in effect to prevent motorists from entering the fire-stricken areas, including the Pyrenees Highway, Beaufort-Lexton Rd, Lexton-Ararat Rd, and Main Lead Rd.
Conditions are expected to improve from Feb. 24 to Feb. 26, but temperatures will rise again on Feb. 27.
Feb. 28 is forecasted to potentially be a “spike” day, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
On Feb. 23, six schools were closed or relocated, and 1365 power customers experienced outages.
Nearly 60 hospital patients and residents of aged care homes near the fire have been relocated to other facilities.
Evacuated individuals are being directed to relief centers in Ararat, Maryborough, and Wendouree in Ballarat.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
