Dangerous Fire Conditions Grip South-Eastern Australia.

Communities in central and western Victoria are on high alert as authorities work to evacuate residents and manage dangerous fire conditions sweeping across several states in south-eastern Australia.

With hot, dry weather and damaging winds hitting the region, fire officials warn of an especially risky day for Victoria, south-west New South Wales, and eastern South Australia.

Fires Already Burning in Victoria

By mid-morning Thursday, several fires were active in Victoria, including major ones in the Grampians National Park, Bullengarook, Creswick, and The Gurdies. Conditions are expected to worsen as gusty northerly winds pick up, potentially spreading the fires toward new areas.

State Control Centre spokesperson Luke Hegarty stressed the urgency of the situation.

“This is a critical part of the day,” he said. “If you don’t need to travel, please stay put. Over the next few hours, strong winds will fan existing fires and could start new ones. Later tonight, a southerly wind change will bring additional challenges.”

He urged residents in high-risk areas to leave immediately for safer locations.

“You need to move now to protect yourself and your family,” he said.

Extreme Fire Danger Across the Region

Victoria is facing its most severe fire conditions since the devastating 2019–20 Black Summer. Temperatures are soaring into the high 30s and low 40s across the state, while gusts of up to 100km/h threaten to bring down trees and power lines.

Premier Jacinta Allan issued a blunt reminder on social media:

“Today’s a day of total fire ban across Victoria. Don’t be a dickhead. No fires to be lit.”

Other states are also bracing for dangerous conditions. Total fire bans are in place for several regions in South Australia, including the Mid North, Riverland, Murraylands, and both the upper and lower South East.

Firefighters and Power Crews Mobilized

Firefighters from multiple states are working together to contain the massive 40,000-hectare blaze in the Grampians. Residents in nearby towns like Bornes Hill, Moyston, and Pomonal have been evacuated as the fire continues to spread.

Power provider AusNet has warned of potential power cuts to reduce the risk of bushfires starting, with some outages possibly lasting longer to ensure safety.

Cooler Weather on the Horizon

A cool change is expected to sweep through Victoria late Thursday, providing some relief. However, strong winds could still make conditions unpredictable and dangerous.

South Australia experienced its cool change earlier in the day, but Country Fire Service (CFS) duty commander Ann Letcher emphasized that the risk isn’t over.

“Until those winds drop, we can’t fully relax,” she said. “The community still needs to stay prepared and vigilant.”