Fresh evacuation warnings were issued on Friday for dozens of rural Australian towns as around 1,000 firefighters battled a bushfire in Victoria state, which has destroyed properties, killed livestock, and is threatening to spread through towns.
Firefighters, supported by more than 50 aircraft, battled to contain the massive blaze on Friday. Roughly 110 square kms (11,000 hectares) have been burned, authorities said.
“We are sadly hearing reports of property loss that are starting to come through,” Victoria state Premier Jacinta Allan said during a press briefing.
“Given the active nature of the fire and the difficult terrain in the area, it is going to take some time to assess the full extent of the damage,” she added.
At least two schools have been closed, and students in four have been relocated to other schools, while around 5,000 properties are without power across Victoria.Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate from towns in Victoria, #Australia as a monster fire bears down.
— Earth42morrow (@Earth42morrow) February 22, 2024
Fire warnings in #Tasmania too as temperatures soar
VC: COMMUNITYpete#Bushfire #AUwx #Victoria #Heatwave #Fire #Wildfire #Forestfire #Weather #Viral #Climate pic.twitter.com/9O1GM1C49O
Stronger-than-expected winds are spreading fires faster and closer to towns as emergency crews urge residents to take shelter indoors if unable to leave.More than 2,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from towns in the west of Australia's Victoria state today due to a bushfire burning out of control, my thoughts are with all concerned!
— The Secret Firefighter UK (@TheSecretFF999) February 22, 2024
Video Credit: Sky News and Reuters pic.twitter.com/UD2fKTZCUP
Firefighters are working hard to fight a large bushfire in the west of the state. This video was taken last night after crews put a fire out near Beaufort and stopped it from spreading into a nearby paddock.
— cfa_updates (@CFA_Updates) February 23, 2024
Continue to monitor conditions and stay informed. #WeWorkAsOne pic.twitter.com/S0M00KDbvu
