Bushfires rage, it’s ‘too late to leave’

Fire warnings could be sent to Victorians overnight as firefighters expect extreme fire danger conditions.

Firefighters fought through the night to control a major bushfire which threatened homes in Toodyay, near Perth. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij Source: PerthNow

AN out-of-control fire has been raging in Victoria's west, threatening the lives of Moyston, Rocky Point and Willaura North residents, while emergency warnings have also been issued for fires in the Adelaide Hills and South East.

Residents of Moyston in Victoria's west have been told it is too late to leave as firefighters battled an out-of-control blaze pushing towards their town, with nearby Maroona also threatened.

Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley says high overnight temperatures are expected to create even worse fire conditions on Saturday.

Firefighters have now managed to contain the bushfire and it has been downgraded to a watch and act.

A Community Meeting will be held at 7pm at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre in Ararat.

But Mr Lapsley warned the worst may not be over.

"Be attuned for the 48 hours, be attuned about what happens overnight and make sure you understand that it's not just going to be fires that run in the daylight hours," Mr Lapsley told reporters.

He told Victorians to monitor several forms of emergency information to ensure they didn't miss important information in the early hours of Saturday.

On fire .. the bushfires at Moyston. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Channel 7

Temperatures are tipped to stay as high as 28c overnight, before hitting 39c in Melbourne and more than 40c in regional areas on Saturday.

Ambulance Victoria's Paul Holman said the overnight heat would mean ill and elderly people could struggle on Saturday.

"The body doesn't have enough time to recover," he said.

Mr Holman said people should check on their neighbours and make sure they stay hydrated and out of the heat if possible.

"Some of the interesting research out recently has shown that slushies, or ice drinks, are very effective in cooling. So that's probably a good tip for people - use slushies," he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews told parents not to leave children in cars, and to report anyone lighting fires.

Out of control ... busfires in Moyton. Picture: Twitter Source: Supplied

"Today is about making sure we do nothing to contribute to a fire," he said.

Victoria Police acting commissioner Tim Cartwright urged people to call 000 if they see anyone lighting a fire or welding or using an angle grinder.

Residents of the nearby town of Maroona have also been told to leave as the fire is heading towards them.

The Victorian State Control Centre was unable to confirm reports a house near the town had been destroyed.

A relief centre has been set up at the nearby town of Ararat and some roads into and out of Moyston have been closed.

A Watch and Act alert has also been issued for St Arnaud, north of Moyston, with residents told leaving is the safest option. Victoria has an extreme fire danger rating, with temperatures predicted to hit 40C in the west with winds gusting up to 90km/h.

Emergency warning: An emergency centre has been established in Ararat for the Moyston bushfire. Picture: CFA. Source: Supplied

A home under threat from the Toodyay bushfire near Perth. Picture: Nine News Source: Supplied

The warnings will be extended to the north central district on Saturday, including Mildura, Swan Hill and Horsham which can expect highs of 43C and winds up to 40km/h.

Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said potentially dangerous wind changes would hit the state on Saturday morning.

"Traditionally, we have seen more loss of life, loss of property after the wind change," Mr Lapsley said.

An extreme fire danger day has been forecast for Western Australia's Goldfields Region.

"The fire scenario is actually the most severe that we have had for this summer season, and it's only the start.''

Total fire bans have been declared in eight of the state's nine districts.

The warning comes as catastrophic fire conditions across South Australia and Western Australia have also put authorities on high alert.

South Australia

A bushfire at Humbug Scrub in South Australia's Mount Lofty Ranges is burning out of control and threatening lives.

The Sampson Flat scrub fire at Humbug Scrub, near Kersbrook Road, is travelling southeast towards the Kersbrook township, Bagshaw Road, South Para Road and Scott Street.

There is a risk to lives and homes, the Country Fire Service says.

Residents should only leave if there is a clear path to a safe place.

Homes that are actively defended and well-prepared may provide safety, the CFS says.

"The Sampson Flat fire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Airstrip Road and Kersbrook Road," the CFS wrote on its Facebook page.

"There is a risk to lives and homes".

The CFS also said a westerly wind change is expected to hit Tantanoola at any time, which could drive the fire towards Glencose.

There are 10 trucks, 8 Forestry SA, 8 bulk water carriers, 3 firebombing aircraft and 3 observation aircraft on scene, ABC Emergency reports.

The fire was initially travelling in an easterly direction towards Kersbrook and about 2ha had been burnt by 1.30pm.

The CFS in South Australia has also declared total fire bans in 14 of that state's 15 fire districts, with Mount Lofty Ranges and Lower South East districts considered catastrophic.

Temperatures have soared to 43.1C with winds of up to 31km/h in Adelaide — more than 12C above the January average — and 45.8C with winds of up to 65km/h on the West Coast.

The CFS issued a watch-and-act message about 12pm for an uncontrolled bushfire in the southern Mt Lofty Ranges.

The service also issued warnings for fires at Murray Bridge East, near Karoonda Rd and Murray Drive, and another at Kepa Rd, Kepa, east of Murray Bridge.

CFS assistant chief officer Rob Sandford urged all of the state to be prepared to ensure all "communities are safe".

He said the service's aerial firefighting fleet was ready.

"We have our full compliment of aerial firefighting fleet online now (and) all our brigades, groups and regions along with partner agencies are as prepared as we can be," Mr Sandford said.

Crews have also been called to grass fires on Tapleys Hill Rd, near Adelaide Airport, and the Sturt Hwy, at Nurioopta in the Barossa Valley.

No warnings were issued in relation to the airport and Barossa Valley fires.

Western Australia

An extreme fire danger day has also been forecast for Western Australia's Goldfields Region.

A total fire ban is in place for the Goldfield Midlands on Friday.

A Deputy Recovery Coordinator at an Evacuation Centre talks to a resident at Toodyay, near Perth. Photo: Bohdan Warchomij Source: Supplied

Residents in the Coolgardie and Lenora shires are warned to be prepared for high-risk weather conditions.

Residents in parts of Kalgoorlie Boulder as well as the Dundas, Laverton, Menzies, Sandstone and Wiluna shires are also warned to be on alert.

Severe fire danger warnings are also in place in parts of the Gascoyne and Interior regions.

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