Victoria Braces for ‘Long Summer of Hell’ as Bushfire Threat Far from Over Despite Brief Reprieve
- 24 fires still raging across the state, with 10 considered ‘fires of significant concern’
- Authorities warn of extreme heat returning as soon as January 18, reigniting ‘dangerous fire weather’
- 50 homes destroyed, with residents beginning to return to fire-affected communities to assess the damage
- Remarkable survival stories emerge, including a 92-year-old man and his 82-year-old sister who sheltered in a shipping container
Victoria remains on high alert as firefighters warn the bushfire threat is far from over, despite a brief reprieve on Saturday night. The state is bracing for a ‘long summer of hell’ as hot spots, shifting winds, and forecast heat in coming weeks are expected to continue challenging firefighters and threatening communities.
Victoria Forest Fire Management’s Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman issued a stark warning on Sunday, saying conditions may have eased slightly but the risk remains high. ‘Even though the conditions are slightly milder today, that fire is still moving in the landscape and it can be extremely dangerous,’ he said.
The largest blaze, the Longwood fire in central Victoria, remains a major concern, with large areas on the northern and eastern flanks continuing to burn out of control. CFA crews are working alongside residents to extinguish embers scattered throughout the area, with southwesterly winds gusting up to 40km/h threatening to reignite fires.
In the state’s northeast, the Walwa fire has burned approximately 100,000 hectares and continues to threaten communities around Corryong, with temperatures still reaching the low 30s and challenging winds forecast throughout the day.
Fires burning in the Otways have also forced the closure of the Great Ocean Road, while thick smoke blanketed Melbourne overnight. Air quality is expected to remain poor on Sunday, particularly for vulnerable residents and asthma sufferers.
Hardman warned that extreme heat could return as soon as January 18, reigniting ‘dangerous fire weather’ across the state. ‘It’s early in our summer. As soon as the 18th of January, we’re going to see that heat build up again, and we’re going to see these fires are so big, they are still going to be burning in the landscape at that time.’
Among those impacted by the fires is CFA First Lieutenant Tyrone Rice, who spent Friday fighting fires before losing his own property. ‘It’s a long summer ahead, and we have many more challenging fire weather days ahead of us,’ Hardman said.
Remarkable survival stories have emerged from the devastation, including a 92-year-old man and his 82-year-old sister who survived by sheltering inside a shipping container as flames swept through on Friday. In Harcourt, another man escaped by taking refuge in his wine cellar while fire engulfed the area.
Authorities continue to urge residents to remain vigilant, monitor conditions closely, and follow emergency service advice as the prolonged fire threat continues.