Victorian fires latest: Nine properties destroyed, fears for many more
Emergency warnings for the Bunyip and Yinnar South fires have been downgraded today, with at least nine properties destroyed over the weekend.
The Bunyip bushfire has ravaged 14,400ha, the Yinnar South fire almost 1840ha and the Licola fire has expanded to more than 17,100ha.
Luke Heagerty, from the State Control Centre told Tom Elliott the Dargo blaze is now of the most concern for ground crews.
“It’s quite dangerous to be on the road at the moment, we know that with those three fires we’re seeing spotting in those areas,” Luke said.
“We’ll see some cooler temperatures and what follows after that change is some more stable weather which is always helpful for us.
“But the winds which build up prior to that change will probably see that we’ll see the continuing spread of these fires and potentially some other communities might see the fire start to head in their direction.”
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LISTEN: 3AW’s Pat Mitchell reports from the emergency relief centre in Drouin
About 500 people visited the five emergency relief centres across the state’s east yesterday
Fifty of them people spent a second consecutive night on blow-up mattresses on the basketball courts or in cars here at Bellbird Park in Drouin.
Major disruptions today. The Princes Hwy closed from Nar Nar Goon to Drouin. Almost 70 schools and early learning centres closed due to the #bunyip and #yinnar fires. pic.twitter.com/zphAUcZa2i
— Pat Mitchell (@patty_mitchell) March 3, 2019
For many farmers, their homes are a secondary concern.
Tina Forte fears her Garfield North home has been destroyed, but she’s more concerned for livestock.
“I don’t care about the house, I just need to know (her animals) are OK, you know?” she told 3AW, becoming emotional.
There’s still 19 fires out of control around the state, all of which are believed to have started from lightning strikes.
Almost 70 schools and early learning centres are closed, while about 900 properties remain without power.