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A dozen major fires are still burning across Victoria, and some residents remain locked out of their hometowns as the full extent of last week’s catastrophic bushfires remains to be realised.
More than 400,000 hectares of bushland, farmland and residential land have been destroyed in the fires, which razed 350 structures – including dozens of homes – and claimed the life of a cattle farmer.
Calmer weather brought some reprieve to the state, and there are no emergency warnings currently in effect. Twenty watch-and-act advice messages remain in the fire zones, some urging people to monitor changing conditions and others warning residents it is not safe for them to return home.
A high fire danger rating has been declared for the Mallee, Wimmera, North Central, North East and South West districts, while other regions are considered to have moderate risk.
Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said temperatures and wind speeds “aren’t particularly high”, which was good news for firefighters, but added that a lack of rain forecast was troublesome.
“It is another dry day, so there’s no support or help from rain, which is sort of the No.1 thing we’d be hoping for at the moment across those active fire grounds,” he told the ABC.
The most devastating blaze, the Longwood fire, is still out of control, but locals have been permitted to return home and assess the damage. Local cattle farmer Maxwell Hobson died in nearby Gobur – between Yarck and Merton – after the fire closed in on him while he was driving.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese opened his Tuesday morning press conference by expressing his condolences over Hobson’s death.
“That community will be grieving today and I say to those people in Victoria, but also those in the flood-affected areas of North Queensland: this is not over,” said Albanese.
“Please stay safe, listen to the authorities and once again, I thank the volunteers, the police and emergency services, the rural fire service and others who are helping each other get through what is a very difficult time.”
Cattle killed by bushfire near Terip Terip.Credit: Jason South
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas will make an announcement at the fire-affected town of Alexandra from 11am on Tuesday.
On Monday, the premier announced grants of up to $52,000 for householders who lost their homes in the fires and were not insured. By Monday afternoon, 440 hardship payments of up to $1000 per adult and $400 per child had been made.
More than 400,000 hectares of public and private land has been destroyed this fire season. Credit: Eddie Jim
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Speaking alongside Allan on Monday, CFA chief Jason Heffernan said dangerous fire conditions had eased off – but warned of potentially hazardous days ahead.
“I can see that it is likely to be another heating event towards the end of January, to the extent that’s yet to be determined, but I guess the indication there’s been a lot of fire in the landscape,” he said.
“Much work will be done between now and then to contain these fires.”
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