Victorian premier warns next few hours ‘most dangerous and difficult’ as three people remain missing in bushfires
Changing winds challenge firefighters in Victoria as three people missing in worst fire day in years — as it happened
The bushfires ignited as an intense heat wave swept southern Australia, creating the most dangerous conditions since the “Black Summer” blazes from late 2019 to early 2020.Hectic’ bushfires threaten rural towns in Australian heatwave.Temperatures are forecast to soar past 40°C in parts of the region, creating some of the most dangerous bushfire weather since the “Black Summer” blazes of 2019 to 2020.Dozens of rural hamlets in the state of Victoria were urged to evacuate while they still could, while three people, including a child, were missing inside one of the state’s most dangerous fire grounds.The fire has already burned around 1,200 hectares of bushland and is moving through the Mt Lawson State Park, approximately 25km west of the town of Walwa.
Fire authorities said the blaze shifted direction on Wednesday, changing from a south-easterly path to a southerly one, bringing new areas into its projected route.
Emergency officials have issued urgent evacuation advice for residents in Bungil, Granya and Thologolong, warning them to leave immediately via Murray River Road towards Wodonga city.
