An Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day, killing 38 of the 67 on board. King Charles has delivered his yearly Christmas speech.
A total fire ban has taken effect across Victoria and parts of South Australia as residents are urged to flee and others to avoid non-essential travel as fierce bushfires rage on.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has declared an “extreme” fire warning for the entirety of Victoria except East Gippsland, which has been designated as “high”.
Residents in the Bornes Hill and North Boundary Road areas, near the Grampians National Park, have been told it is too late for them to leave and are being urged to “shelter now” as firefighters battle the blaze.
It's the start of summer in the southern hemisphere Here's a fire spread danger map of mainland Australia
Multiple bushfires currently burning out of control across Victoria in south-east Australia, with firefighters bracing for catastrophic conditions https://t.co/lImrZaNdJPpic.twitter.com/ZavPZkChyv
The alert was issued shortly after 6.30am on Thursday local time, as the bushfires travelled in a southerly direction towards Wannon River with spotting into the North Boundary Rd area.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the VicEmergency update read.
“The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.”
Those in the areas of elevated risk have been told to leave before 10am local time today, before extreme fire danger conditions begin.
Shortly before 3pm on Christmas Day, residents in Halls Gap were ordered to leave their properties at the weekend, followed by people living in Moyston and Pomonal,as bushfires were yet to be brought under control.
Bushfires in Victoria, Australia are set to get worse as a result of conditions forecast for Boxing Day.
A total fire ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight.
The ban will take effect from 12.01am and end at 11.59pm on Boxing Day.
This warning has been driven by hot temperatures and dry air on Boxing Day, combined with fresh to strong winds, which could create further fires.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore, the conditions on Boxing Day will be “concerning” as dry and fast winds could be enough to “bring down trees and power lines, cause some minor power outages, but also create dangerous conditions for those ongoing fires through the Grampians”.
It comes as firefighters continue to battle the blaze in the Grampians, which began a week ago in the Grampians National Park and has since burnt through more than 43,000 hectares.
An extreme fire danger warning has been issued in Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, North East, South West, Central and West and South Gippsland.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said there were two major concerns on Boxing Day, including the fires already burning and the risk of new ones starting.
“Thursday’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” he said.
The bushfire burning in the Grampians. Photo / Hamilton Fire Brigade
On Christmas morning, the CFA reported the fire had moved north of the southern section of the national park overnight.
“The fire could burn for weeks, as Grampians National Park has a lot of fuel and very little rain is forecast,” a statement read.
Heffernan said the fires already burning and any new fires that could be sparked as a result of the extreme fire risk were both “major concerns”.
“Follow the strict conditions associated with the total fire ban declaration and understand how the increased fire risk will impact you, and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies,” Heffernan said.
Authorities are also asking people to avoid travelling in or around the areas flagged by VicEmergency.
It will be a scorching day in Victoria today, with Melbourne reporting hot and dry conditions and reaching a top of 39C.
Around the western regions, temperatures will reach a maximum of 36C in Stawell and Ararat, with a much-needed cool change coming this evening.
The eastern regions will also feel the heat, with a top of 36C in Moe and 39C in Wangaratta.
Parts of southern NSW, including Wagga Wagga, are expected to hit 39C today, with Swan Hill anticipated to reach a top of 41C and Wentworth hitting 42C.
Sydney’s in for a cooler forecast of 29C today but things are set to heat up again on Friday, with temperatures forecast to peak at 37C.
Fire danger will increase in northeast NSW from Friday afternoon, with temperatures reaching up to 37C in Sydney and 38C in Moree.
Residents in Sydney’s western suburbs are expected to cop the brunt of the city’s heatwave, with an anticipated top of 41C in Penrith today.
Canberra is expected to reach 35C, with Brisbane to remain in the low 30s today before a searing top of 37C on Friday.
Back in Victoria, authorities will likely continue their efforts to contain the fires into 2025, with 18 firebombing aircraft and 600 firefighters currently on the ground.
