Three emergency warnings are active as strong winds fan out-of-control bushfires in Victoria’s east, threatening lives and properties.
Holidaymakers and residents in the Gippsland Lakes hamlet of Loch Sport, about 20 kilometres south of Bairnsdale, have been told it is too late to leave and to take shelter immediately as a grass fire approaches.
“You are in danger, act now to protect yourself,” said the VicEmergency alert issued just before 2pm.
“It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.”
The message said a wind change was pushing the fire towards the town, which is home to about 1000 people but swells with campers on warmer days due to its idyllic location wedged between Ninety Mile Beach and Lake Victoria.
A separate fire had sparked an emergency warning for the Forge Creek area on the other side of Lake Victoria, north of Loch Sport. But that was downgraded to an advice message after the threat was reduced around 3.30pm.
At Biragolong, west of Bairnsdale on the southern edge of Victoria’s alpine region, a third, larger blaze is alight. An “evacuate immediately” message has been issued for the out-of-control fire, believed to have been sparked by a campfire.
“The wind has now changed direction and the fire is headed in a north-easterly direction due to a strong south-westerly wind,” the alert says.
Residents in Briagolong, Culloden, Moornapa, Stockdale and surrounds have been told to leave before 4pm.
“Evacuation after this time is considered life-threatening,” the alert says.
A helicopter douses an out-of-control fire near Rawson with water on Sunday.Credit: Nine News
People are advised to head south towards Sale, about 30 kilometres south of Briagolong.
Finally, a “watch and act, prepare to evacuate” message is also in place for the towns of Erica, Walhalla and Rawson, 125 kilometres east of Melbourne near Mount Baw Baw.
“If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you,” the alert says.
A firefighting helicopter was captured dousing the fire front with water on Sunday afternoon.
A bushfire burns in Victoria’s High Country near Rawson.Credit: Nine News
A grass fire also flared up in Melbourne’s west on Sunday afternoon. However, the small blaze in Werribee South was brought under control and only a low-level advice message remains in place.
Unseasonable spring heat continues to build up across Australia’s eastern seaboard ahead of a cool change arriving later this week.
The AFL grand final was played in 29 degree heat in Melbourne on Saturday, one of the hottest grand finals on record.
Wind gusts of above 100km/h have been recorded in parts of west and south Gippsland on Sunday as the mercury dipped below 20 degrees following the prolonged hot streak.
With AAP
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