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Residents in Victoria, Australia, are under urgent warnings to prepare for potential “property loss or worse” as a severe heatwave grips much of the nation.
Forecasts indicate that Friday and Saturday will bring record-breaking temperatures to most states and territories. Victoria and South Australia are particularly vulnerable, facing dangerous fire conditions fueled by strong winds and extreme heat.
A total fire ban is currently in effect across Victoria, with all regions designated as having “catastrophic” or “extreme” fire danger ratings.
“Victorians should brace themselves for more property loss or worse,” Jason Heffernan, chief officer of the Country Fire Authority (CFA), stated to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Friday.
“The conditions were extreme yesterday. They’re catastrophic today,” Heffernan added, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Melbourne is anticipating temperatures to reach 42C on Friday, while areas in north-west Victoria may experience highs of 45C. A cool change is expected to arrive in the south-west.
A significant bushfire near Longwood, in central Victoria, has already consumed nearly 36,000 hectares, according to authorities. At least 20 homes have been destroyed in the small town of Ruffy.
Ruffy CFA captain George Noye described the impact on the town as “severe.”
“The main street looks like a bomb’s gone off, we’ve lost a school,” he told the ABC.
“Some properties have lost everything. They’ve lost their livelihoods, they’ve lost their shearing sheds, livestock, just absolutely devastating.”
“But thankfully, at the moment, no lives have been lost.”
A statement from Victoria’s state control centre on Friday indicated that the Longwood fire is “incredibly dynamic, with the fire spreading in multiple directions” and has the potential to exceed initial containment estimates.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill reported that three people – two adults and a child – remain unaccounted for in the Longwood area.
He stated that authorities had contacted them at their property on Thursday, advising them to seek shelter as evacuation was no longer a viable option. When fire officials returned later, they found the home had been destroyed by fire and the three individuals were missing.
“They may be safe, they may be alive, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but we are keeping an open mind,” Hill said.
In the Australian Capital Territory, including Canberra, a total fire ban has been declared for the first time in six years.
Sydney is bracing for temperatures as high as 42C on Saturday, before a drop to around 26C on Sunday.
Another fire near Walwa, in north-east Victoria, has already burned through more than 17,000 hectares.
Heffernan urged all Victorians, not just those residing near active fires, to remain vigilant.
“That is how severe these conditions are at the moment, not only at the Longwood fire but across the state,” he told the ABC.
“My message at the moment to Victorians is yes, we are talking about Longwood and Walwa, but we have many other fires that have started this morning in and around communities… I am expecting more as the day goes on.”
In South Australia, local fire authorities reported battling a number of small fires overnight, with temperatures expected to reach 46C in some areas.
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