Grampians bushfire wreaks havoc in Victoria – as more states are warned to brace for Christmas holiday disaster

Several states are on high alert for bushfires and possible evacuations as more than 40,000 hectares continue to burn in Victoria.

Millions of residents and travelers in large parts of Victoria, South Australia, NSW and Western Australia have been warned they could experience fires this week.

Hot, dry and windy conditions are expected to worsen the rapidly changing conditions from Monday, posing a high risk to those traveling over Christmas.

Several states entered Monday battling dangerous fires or warning of possible outbreaks, including NSW, where hot, dry and windy conditions pose an extreme fire danger in the Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney, Northern Slopes and North West regions.

More than 41,000 hectares have been burned in the Grampians, 270km west of Melbourne, with a cool change and rain in the city doing little to help firefighters.

Temperatures in the Victorian capital will reach a cool 18 degrees Celsius on Monday, with further showers expected.

Warnings remain in place for fires in the Grampians National Park and some residents have been told to prepare to leave if the situation worsens.

Meanwhile, another fire in Bullengarook, northwest of Melbourne, continues to burn out of control.

Victorian authorities are eyeing sweltering conditions of around 40 degrees Celsius expected in the region on Boxing Day amid fears private properties could be affected.

Interstate firefighters from NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and WA will arrive later this week, the state’s Country Fire Authority has confirmed.

The extra help will come as a relief to hundreds of firefighters, including volunteers, who have been dealing with incredibly tough conditions since the blaze last week.

‘With more than 600 firefighters working on the scene to control the high-energy fire, it is important to recognize the incredible work that has been done to date and the work that remains to come as crews continue to clock the clock in the coming days around working’ VicEmergency shared this on Monday.

“To the communities affected by these fires, thank you for staying informed and taking action when necessary. We know for many that this is not the first time fire has affected you and understand the ongoing impact these events can have.

‘As the fires continue to burn in the run-up to Christmas Day, we would like to thank emergency services staff for sacrificing time away from family and friends to protect others within the community.’

Even as they fought to save lives, homes and communities, several firefighters helped save affected wildlife from the wildfires.

With Boxing Day usually a big travel day across the state, the fire service is urging residents to download the VicEmergency app before they leave.

Halls Gap Hotel, in the Grampians’ biggest tourist town, has closed its doors and tourism providers in the area say they are losing $1.9 million a day in bookings due to the emergency as residents fled to Ararat.

“With 39 degrees on Christmas and Boxing Day we have canceled our family Christmas here this year,” Moyston resident Maxine Windram said on social media.

Elsewhere, regional areas in South Australia are also expecting warm conditions on Boxing Day, with Adelaide experiencing a high of 36 degrees Celsius after a forecast 37 degrees Celsius on Christmas Day.

In Western Australia, firefighters were working to clear a blaze that had threatened lives and property in Perth’s northern suburbs on Sunday.

The fast-moving fire at Two Rocks forced evacuation warnings Sunday afternoon but was later brought under control.

High fire danger is again forecast for the region on Monday, while extreme risk is forecast in inland parts of WA’s mid-west and south-west.