More than 1,000 firefighters are working to control a large bushfire in western Victoria as warm conditions develop across New Zealand.
Homes have been lost as reinforcements arrive to join firefighters battling a major bushfire in western Victoria.
Thousands of residents from nearly 30 communities around Ballarat have been told to ‘leave now’, with emergency and watch-and-act warnings issued.
Residents of dozens of communities around Ballarat have been told to leave for their safety. (HANDOUT/BEAUFORT PARK CAFE)
About 1,000 firefighters battled the blaze, including 15 water bombers.
Victorian Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan said it was hoped fire conditions would ease overnight, but that was not the case as the fire progressed north towards Elmhurst.
“Unfortunately we are getting early reports of some house losses, as well as multiple barns,” he told ABC TV early on Friday, with livestock losses also expected.
Residents of Elmhurst had been told to evacuate and firefighters were taking position to protect the community as strong winds from the south were expected to fan the fire, Mr Heffernan said.
“I expect fire conditions to remain fairly variable today,” he said.
More firefighters are expected to arrive Friday and next weekend to battle the blaze.
“We are doing everything we can to try to contain the fire ahead of the forecast high fire day next Wednesday,” Mr Heffernan said.
The very large bushfire forced the closure of the Great Western Highway between the major cities of Ballarat and Ararat, in addition to a train and bus route in the area.
The aim on Friday was to get the Great Western Highway open, but the Pyrenees highway would be closed because of the fire, Mr Heffernan said.
Forecasted fire danger assessments and total fire bans on Thursday
Prisoners with health problems that make them vulnerable to smoke have been moved from Langi Kal Kal prison, which is located near the fire.
Firefighters have also been battling bushfires in parts of Tasmania, with a watch and action warning issued for the Dee community and surrounding area due to a blaze in the remote Central Highlands, with residents told to prepare to leave.
A high fire danger warning has been issued for parts of central and south-west NSW, in addition to the Greater Hunter region.
Hot conditions are likely to be mainly focused on northern and eastern NSW on Friday, according to Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Dean Narramore.
He said temperatures in Sydney would reach mid to high 30s before widespread thunderstorms and a cool change in the evening.
A heatwave warning is in effect for the Pilbara, North Interior, South Interior District and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia.