Thousands of firefighters are battling fires across NSW and Victoria, as catastrophic weather conditions ignite an out-of-control bushfire in the Adelaide Hills.
An emergency warning was issued on Friday morning for a blaze near Cudlee Creek in uncontrolled grassland and was immediately threatening lives and homes.
The fire comes as South Australia is set to have its worst day for fire conditions so far this summer with catastrophic risk declared in six districts, with a combination of extremely high temperatures, rising winds and potentially thousands of lightning strikes.
Temperatures in some parts of the state are expected to get close to 50 degrees with Adelaide forecast to have a top of 46 degrees which would make it the city’s hottest ever December day.
Conditions in Victoria are equally as severe, with the temperature in Melbourne forecast to hit 44 degrees by mid-afternoon, souring close to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires when the temperature hit 46.4 degrees.
A smoke haze from NSW’s mega fire is now making its way down to Victoria, hitting Melbourne’s CBD, as more than 64 fire incidents are already impacting parts of the state.
Smoke is extending over #Victoria this morning from the #nswfires and the Gippsland fires, reducing visibility to around 1km in places. The smoke will gradually disperse over the next few hours, although generally hazy conditions are expected right across Victoria today. pic.twitter.com/T8AdM2RoHv
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 20, 2019
A gusty wind shift during the day will cause added dramas with the Country Fire Service warning that if fires start, they will be almost impossible to contain.
“Under these conditions, they will be so erratic and move so fast and develop so quickly it doesn’t matter how many firefighters, we’re not going to stop the forward spread of these fires,” Deputy Chief Officer Andrew Stark said.
“These are certainly the most dangerous conditions we’ve faced this season.”
There are 100 fires burning across the state, with half to be contained. Dangerous fire conditions forecast for Saturday – now is time to prepare. Schools are finishing up this week so review & check your travel plans along your route, & at your destination. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/0UAJR6mrul
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 20, 2019
Meanwhile, as the NSW Rural Fire Service rallied after the deaths of two experienced volunteer firefighters on Thursday, both with partners and babies, the state will endure another “dangerously hot” day across coastal areas with more than 100 fires continuing to burn.
BOM acting NSW manager Jane Golding said temperatures would again rise into the mid-40s, with Penrith expecting a maximum of 47 degrees and coastal areas hitting the mid-to-high 30s.
“That’s dangerously hot weather,” she told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
A gusty cool change is also expected on Saturday, which will bring some relief from the heat for central and southern NSW but create dangerous conditions on the waterways and challenging fire conditions.
“Those southerlies when they come through (will) be close to gale force,” Ms Golding said.
“The other thing with this system is it is bringing through some swell behind it, so dangerous conditions in the waters on the beach tomorrow [Saturday] as well.”
She said there was some respite on the way for NSW as the southerly change moved eastwards towards the ranges.
Victoria urged not to be complacent
Swan Hill and Mildura are expected to reach 47 degrees, with Mildura’s current December record standing at 44 degrees.
The fire danger rating will be very high to extreme across all regions and a total fire ban is in place statewide.
“We saw more than 40 fires on Wednesday, and in some respects that was a taste of what will be coming on Friday,” Emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp said on Thursday.
“We cannot afford to be complacent in any part of the state.”
Emergency Victoria stressed the need to be bushfire ready, preparing and cleaning properties and developing an escape plan.
A southerly wind will bring on a cool change by the end of Friday, but thunderstorms without rain are likely, bringing the threat of lightning strikes.
Almost 500 firefighters are battling three uncontained fires in East Gippsland with 84 trucks and 41 dozers on the ground, the County Fire Authority says.
There’s another 118 firefighters patrolling blazes at Somerton with a helicopter and dozer on hand, while more than 260 firefighters remain at the contained Tambo Crossing fire.
Public Transport Victoria said extreme heat timetables will be in place on multiple V/Line services and Melbourne Yarra Trams has advised services will be altered on Friday.
People across the three states are being urged to check on their neighbours, infants, the elderly and expectant mothers in the extreme heat.
Homeless people in Melbourne will be given free pool passes and movie tickets to help them stay cool.
“Asking someone inside to escape the heat of the day to see a film, swim in one of our pools or relax in an air-conditioned room could help prevent them becoming seriously unwell,” Councillor Beverley Pinder said.
-with AAP
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