Inferno exodus
THE biggest exodus in Victorian history has preceded heatwave conditions that are expected to fuel lethal bushfires in the east and northeast of the state today.
Thousands of people evacuated the fire zone yesterday, fleeing the forecast extreme conditions.
Searing temperatures are predicted for today — 46C in Wodonga, 44C in Corryong and 40C in Mallacoota.
North to north-westerly winds are expected to push firefronts south and some blazes could even merge and intensify, threatening more communities.
An afternoon wind change, and even the chance of dry lightning, will only heighten fears of further destruction and loss of life.
Almost 50 blazes, many out of control, were raging across the state last night,
Two people are confirmed dead in the East Gippsland blazes, with fears mounting for another 28 missing residents.
The scale of the crisis escalated last night when Emergency Management HQ issued 10 new evacuation orders — five in East Gippsland, four in the northeast and one near Portland in the southwest.
Four emergency warnings were in place and 15 “watch and act” orders.
About 100,000 people were told they “must leave” their homes to guarantee their safety.
Those residents and tourists are within six local government areas declared a “state of disaster” for the first time in Victoria’s history. The areas are spread across large parts of East Gippsland, Mansfield, Wellington, Wangaratta, Towong and Alpine shires.
A total fire ban has been declared today in the Mallee, Northern Country, North Central, North East, East Gippsland and West and South Gippsland districts.
Last night, many families with young children were preparing to be flown out of Mallacoota after almost 1200 people left the town by sea on navy vessels HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore. The trip to Hastings is expected to take 20 hours, with evacuees due to disembark about lunchtime.
About 30 people, mostly sick and frail, had earlier been taken on helicopters from Mallacoota to Sale.
A commercial supply vessel, the Far Saracen, operated by Esso, has provided on-board accommodation for up to 30 sick people and emergency services personnel from Mallacoota over three nights.
A second Esso ship, the Far Senator, has left Melbourne loaded with 30 pallets of food and water, and is expected in Mallacoota today.
Major routes in Victoria’s east and northeast were jammed with cars, caravans and boats yesterday as holidaymakers and locals heeded “get out” advice.
State Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp warned some fires could merge in coming days, accelerating their power and danger.
Poor air quality became a problem outside the fire zones, with easterly winds yesterday pushing smoke haze into the Latrobe Valley, metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong.
EPA chief environmental scientist Andrea Hinwood said people in areas with visible smoke should stay indoors where possible.
“The pollutants produced in cigarette smoke are exactly the same as produced from bushfire smoke, just in different ratios. It has effects on your health, particularly when it’s sustained over a long period of time,” Dr Hinwood said.