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Five buildings have been lost in bushfires burning out of control in eastern Victoria as hot temperatures and strong winds challenge firefighters battling the blazes.
Conditions are set to escalate today and although it will not be as hot as it has been, it will be windier.
A north-westerly wind is expected to strengthen today which will result in “active and dynamic” fire activity, a statement from the Country Fire Authority said.
There are currently 25 fires burning across the state. Fifteen of them are in eastern Victoria.
Three buildings have been destroyed by the Bunyip fire, including two homes in the Garfield North area, near the Bunyip State Park, south-east of Melbourne.
Bunyip, Yinnar South bushfires destroy five buildings as fire crisis escalates
The fire has already burned through almost 6,300 hectares.Another two buildings were destroyed by the fire at Budgeree and Yinnar South, south of Morwell, fire officials said.Firefighters are going into the affected areas this morning to confirm the losses.
Up to 850 people, 120 fire trucks and 20 aircraft will be working on the Bunyip blaze today.
Evacuation orders were issued at 10:15am for Gembrook, Gentle Annie and Labertouche and residents have been warned to leave now.
“We’re asking people in the Labertouche area to prepare to evacuate, to enact their [fire] plan [and] to ensure that they communicate with loved ones in relation to what they’re doing,” state response controller Alastair Drayton said.
“Prevailing conditions will push that particular fire towards that township today, in a south-easterly direction under the influence of a north-westerly wind.”
The Bunyip fire is threatening homes in a number of communities including Maryknoll, Cornucopia, Garfield and Tonimbuk North areas.
Residents in those areas have been told it is too late to leave and they should shelter in place.
Aerial waterbombing continued until 3:00am to try to save other properties.
Telephone alert emergency warnings have been sent out to communities in the area between the southern end of the Bunyip State Park and Gippsland rail line.
The latest emergency warning, issued about 11:45am, now covers about 30 communities including Bunyip, Bunyip North, Cornucopia, Garfield, Garfield North, Gentle Annie, Labertouche, Longwarry, Longwarry North, Maryknoll, Nar Nar Goon, Tonimbuk, Tynong and Tynong North as well as Drouin and Jindivick.It said the fire was moving towards the Princes Highway and the fire ground was dangerous and quickly changing place due to unpredictable fire conditions.
Another emergency warning issued at 9:00am remains current for the other main fire at Budgeree and Yinnar South.
Strengthening winds a concern
Senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Dean Stewart said temperatures would climb into the high 30s today and there was a risk thunderstorms could produce lightning strikes.
He said northerly winds were strengthening around all fire fronts.
“We’re looking at those winds in the Bunyip fire getting up to 30 to 40 kilometres per hour later this morning with possible gusts as high as 50 to 55kph.
“So with those sort of winds and the high temperatures, it will be another challenging day for the fire authorities.”
Other fires continue to burn near Dargo and Black Snake Creek, in the state’s far east, and at Licola in the Alpine National Park where watch and act messages are current. abc.news