Watch and Act still in place for Buninyong + Scotsburn with severe fire weather conditions today

Our first out of control bushfire for the summer threatened homes and lives in Buninyong, south of Ballarat yesterday.

The emergency warning was downgraded to a ‘watch and act’ around 7pm.

Tim Wiebusch, state response controller, told Ross and John it was the first signifcant fire effort of the season

“There’s still a risk today (because of the extreme temperature), so that’s why there’s a watch and act still in place,” Tim said.

“The watch and act is about heightened attention for those in the immediate area, to make sure they’ve thought about their plans.

“We’re reasonably confident that we’ve got it (under control) but with the severe fire weather conditions in that part of the state today, mean that some of the things still smouldering remain a risk.

“We’re seeing some of the driest conditions we have seen for some time.”

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Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said a change tonight might not bring relief either.

“With that, could come some dry lightning so the potential for fires,” Mr Crisp said.

“It gets back to what we talk about, we can’t control the weather it’s about what we can control and that’s our own plan.”

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Images: 9 News Western Victoria