Australia-High alert for more bush fires.
AUSTRALIA-FIRE ALERT ON FARMS.
High temperatures and strong winds will combine tomorrow for a "fire weather shocker", with residents being urged to decide today whether to stay and defend their properties or leave ahead of the forecasted severe weather conditions.
Strong northerly winds are expected this afternoon and overnight before a south-westerly wind change sweeps the Victoria tomorrow afternoon. The mercury is predicted to hit 36 degrees in Melbourne tomorrow. The Bureau of Meteorology has said winds could gust up to 140km/h, with a chance of thunderstorms and lightning strikes to follow. "It’s a very, very big wind event that we’re looking at over the Tuesday period and in fact into Wednesday," the bureau’s Mark Williams said. Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said that even though temperatures might be cooler, "wind is the great enemy". Residents in bushfire prone or affected areas who plan to leave their properties have been warned to do so early to avoid panic on the roads, and to be on the look-out for falling branches and trees weakened by drought, fire and strong winds. Those living in tents or temporary dwellings such as caravans have also been told to secure the structures against strong winds or "seriously consider relocating to more secure shelter". Four thousand State Emergency Service volunteers will be on standby to deal with power black outs and falling trees, and people are advised to have a transistor radio and battery-powered torch close at hand. Parents were warned that schools may close tomorrow and Wednesday, depending on the result of risk assessments to be made by 2pm today. Country Fire Authority chief fire officer Russell Rees pleaded with the public to enact fire plans before conditions worsened. "You need to put in place your plan ... because it may be that if you think you’re going to move Tuesday morning, the trees are down across the road, fire is already in your area," he said. Department of Sustainability and Environment chief fire officer Craige Brown said ongoing problems at the Kilmore East-Murrindindi North complex of fires could see fire break through containment lines tomorrow. "There is an expectation that under the wind event tomorrow that fire will break out and make a run towards Melbourne water catchments," Mr Brown said. About 3000 firefighters from the CFA, Department of Sustainability and Environment and interstate services are working to contain the four main fires across the state. However, the Kilmore-Murrindindi complex, the largest fire burning about 250,000ha, has been a difficult to contain due to steep and inaccessible terrain in the area.
