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Australia fires: Victoria issues code red bushfire warning amid thunderstorm asthma threat Australia fires: Victoria issues code red bushfire warning amid thunderstorm asthma threat
(about 2 hours later)
Temperatures to top 40C in state’s north as smoke haze blankets Sydney and residents in South Australia, NSW and Tasmania all face worsening conditions Temperatures top 40C in state’s north as up to 11 properties hit by fire in South Australia, while NSW and Tasmania face worsening conditions
An out-of-control bushfire was threatening homes in regional Victoria at lunchtime on Thursday, but residents were told it was too late to leave. Meanwhile, more than 30 people have been treated for minor injuries, and homes and sheds have been destroyed as authorities continue to battle a dangerous bushfire on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula. Out-of-control bushfires are raging in central parts of Victoria as strong winds pick up, causing a regional town to turn orange in a haze of dust. Meanwhile, more than 30 people have been treated for minor injuries, and homes and sheds have been destroyed as authorities continue to battle a dangerous bushfire on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
An emergency warning was issued for Clunes and nearby areas north of Ballarat due to a grassfire heading south towards Dunac. Victoria’s highest bushfire warning - code red - has been issued for central and northwestern parts of the state on Thursday.
“You are in danger, act now to protect yourself,” the warning said. “It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. Do not get in the car and drive. It is safer to stay where you are.” An out-of-control bushfire in Bonn and Strathallan is threatening homes, with residents told it is too late to leave. It is in the area declared code red.
“You are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately,” the warning states.
Victoria was under a total fire ban on Thursday with temperatures expected to top 40C in the state’s north and fears that forecast thunderstorm asthma would put lives at risk.Victoria was under a total fire ban on Thursday with temperatures expected to top 40C in the state’s north and fears that forecast thunderstorm asthma would put lives at risk.
Victorians facing code red bushfire conditions have been told their houses are not built to withstand them and they should get to major cities if they can.Victorians facing code red bushfire conditions have been told their houses are not built to withstand them and they should get to major cities if they can.
Temperatures were forecast to stay well over 40C in the state’s north, and strong northerly winds put the Mallee and the northern country districts on a code red alert. Temperatures have already tipped into the 40s across some parts of the state, with Swan Hill just shy of 44C and Mildura at 40.6C, but winds are still ripping through.
“It is hot windy and dusty up in the north-west,” Bureau of Meteorology’s Rod Dickson said, adding that down south the cool change was beginning to move through.
Melbourne has matched its hottest November day on record, hitting 40.9C.
Residents in Mildura saw the town turn orange as a dust storm hit on Thursday.Residents in Mildura saw the town turn orange as a dust storm hit on Thursday.
Conditions were expected to be milder in the rest of the state but fire danger ratings were listed as severe or very high, while temperatures were close to all-time November highs and Melbourne forecast to reach 39C. More than 80,000 customers are without power in the western part of the state, with Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat hardest hit, service provider Powercor said.
A severe weather warning was issued for damaging winds for most of the state. Crews are responding more than 22 fallen powerlines, and 130-plus separate faults across the state which are being impacted by the extreme winds.
Melbourne could mark one of its hottest November days on record with 39C, while the city fell just short of the hottest November night since 1901 at 26C – just 0.2C off. “Due to the number of faults, extreme weather conditions and the need to be able to restore power safely, restoration times may be longer than usual,” a statement says.
Not everyone has got the message about the fire danger. A 43-year-old man was expected be charged on summons after allegedly lighting a fire to clear timber and rubbish at 10pm on Wednesday.Not everyone has got the message about the fire danger. A 43-year-old man was expected be charged on summons after allegedly lighting a fire to clear timber and rubbish at 10pm on Wednesday.
Code red signals the worst possible bushfire conditions and the safest place to be is away from high-risk fire areas within those districts, the Country Fire Association advises. On Thursday emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp warned that a southerly change expected to hit Victoria in the afternoon could potentially make conditions more difficult for firefighters and dry lightning could spark fires.
“Our community members should be prepared for fire, and know where to get information to make good decisions about your safety,” the emergency management commissioner, Andrew Crisp, said on Wednesday. “Given fires could start and move quickly, you won’t always receive a warning or be told what to do if a fire starts.”
On Thursday Crisp warned that a southerly change expected to hit Victoria in the afternoon could potentially make conditions more difficult for firefighters and dry lightning could spark fires.
All public parks in the code red areas have been closed, and more than 200 schools and early learning childhood centres were closed across the state.All public parks in the code red areas have been closed, and more than 200 schools and early learning childhood centres were closed across the state.
“Homes are not built to withstand the types of fires we may see on a code red day and you don’t want to be caught travelling through areas on fire at the last minute if you wait and see,” said the Country Fire Authority chief officer, Steve Warrington.“Homes are not built to withstand the types of fires we may see on a code red day and you don’t want to be caught travelling through areas on fire at the last minute if you wait and see,” said the Country Fire Authority chief officer, Steve Warrington.
Thousands of properties were also without power across Victoria. Powercor, a service provider, had extra crews working on Thursday to tackle the 5,400 outages as at 9.50am, with the majority caused by winds across the state’s west.
“These strong winds can bring down power lines, if people do see them they are encouraged to stay far way from them and report them to us or to their network,” a spokeswoman said.
Along with possible bushfires, the National Asthma Council Australia forecast Thursday’s pollen count in Victoria to be “extreme”. The alert coincided with the third anniversary of the thunderstorm asthma event that claimed 10 lives on 21 November 2016.Along with possible bushfires, the National Asthma Council Australia forecast Thursday’s pollen count in Victoria to be “extreme”. The alert coincided with the third anniversary of the thunderstorm asthma event that claimed 10 lives on 21 November 2016.
“Today’s anniversary is a reminder that the risk is real,” said the National Asthma Council Australia chief executive, Siobhan Brophy. “Any serious asthma attack can be life-threatening and have devastating consequences.“Today’s anniversary is a reminder that the risk is real,” said the National Asthma Council Australia chief executive, Siobhan Brophy. “Any serious asthma attack can be life-threatening and have devastating consequences.
“People do not need to be in the immediate area of a fire to suffer from the effect of smoke on their lungs. Wherever smoke haze is visible, it is a threat to those with asthma.”“People do not need to be in the immediate area of a fire to suffer from the effect of smoke on their lungs. Wherever smoke haze is visible, it is a threat to those with asthma.”
In South Australia the rapid spread of a dangerous bushfire has been halted on the Yorke Peninsula but authorities warned that the blaze was yet to be contained.In South Australia the rapid spread of a dangerous bushfire has been halted on the Yorke Peninsula but authorities warned that the blaze was yet to be contained.
Chief officer Mark Jones said while the worst was over, fire crews still held concerns for two towns in the fire’s path.Chief officer Mark Jones said while the worst was over, fire crews still held concerns for two towns in the fire’s path.
The blaze has already burnt through about 4,500 hectares.The blaze has already burnt through about 4,500 hectares.
“We’ve commissioned a large aerial tanker from NSW today to lay a protective fire line, on the fire which is spreading towards Coobowie,” Jones said on Thursday. “Our crews are holding the fire on the outskirts of Edithburgh and doing a great job there.“We’ve commissioned a large aerial tanker from NSW today to lay a protective fire line, on the fire which is spreading towards Coobowie,” Jones said on Thursday. “Our crews are holding the fire on the outskirts of Edithburgh and doing a great job there.
“Our partner agencies have been fantastic and our combined effort means there’s no recorded loss of life yet, which is a remarkable outcome given the unprecedented the conditions faced by the state yesterday.”“Our partner agencies have been fantastic and our combined effort means there’s no recorded loss of life yet, which is a remarkable outcome given the unprecedented the conditions faced by the state yesterday.”
Police commissioner Grant Stevens said at least 11 properties had been affected by the fire but the full extent of the losses was still to be determined.Police commissioner Grant Stevens said at least 11 properties had been affected by the fire but the full extent of the losses was still to be determined.
He said 33 people had been treated for minor issues, some for minor burns or smoke inhalation and some who required eye washing.He said 33 people had been treated for minor issues, some for minor burns or smoke inhalation and some who required eye washing.
At the height of the emergency, the Yorke Peninsula council mayor, Darren Braund, said many residents had taken shelter overnight in the Edithburgh Town Hall but had been told to leave.At the height of the emergency, the Yorke Peninsula council mayor, Darren Braund, said many residents had taken shelter overnight in the Edithburgh Town Hall but had been told to leave.
“People are very worried, a lot of anxious people, hoping their properties are OK,” Braund told the Adelaide Advertiser. “There were warnings throughout the night from Country Fire Service, all of a sudden the wind changed. From what I understand, the fire jumped containment lines that’s when it got very dangerous.”“People are very worried, a lot of anxious people, hoping their properties are OK,” Braund told the Adelaide Advertiser. “There were warnings throughout the night from Country Fire Service, all of a sudden the wind changed. From what I understand, the fire jumped containment lines that’s when it got very dangerous.”
The blaze and the shifting weather also pushed large amounts of smoke over Adelaide, which was blanketed by a thick haze until mid-morning on Thursday. SA Health said the smoke posed a risk to people, especially those with pre-existing heart and chest conditions.The blaze and the shifting weather also pushed large amounts of smoke over Adelaide, which was blanketed by a thick haze until mid-morning on Thursday. SA Health said the smoke posed a risk to people, especially those with pre-existing heart and chest conditions.
The Yorketown fire was one of more than 40 which broke out across SA on Wednesday amid catastrophic conditions, with soaring temperatures and high winds.The Yorketown fire was one of more than 40 which broke out across SA on Wednesday amid catastrophic conditions, with soaring temperatures and high winds.
A cool change moved across the state early on Thursday, dropping temperatures into the mid-20s, but also brought the wind change, which caused problems for firefighters who had battled through the night to protect local properties.A cool change moved across the state early on Thursday, dropping temperatures into the mid-20s, but also brought the wind change, which caused problems for firefighters who had battled through the night to protect local properties.
In the Yorketown fire, early reports suggested several homes had been lost, along with sheds and other property. There have been no reports of any injuries.In the Yorketown fire, early reports suggested several homes had been lost, along with sheds and other property. There have been no reports of any injuries.
“At this point in time we don’t have accurate figures in relation to structure losses,” said South Australia’s commissioner of police, Grant Stevens. “We do believe there are 11 properties that have been affected. But the rapid damage assessment teams are moving into the fire ground now.”“At this point in time we don’t have accurate figures in relation to structure losses,” said South Australia’s commissioner of police, Grant Stevens. “We do believe there are 11 properties that have been affected. But the rapid damage assessment teams are moving into the fire ground now.”
In New South Wales, heavy smoke was blanketing large parts of the state. People with breathing difficulties were advised to stay indoors, avoid exercise and use reliever medicine if appropriate.In New South Wales, heavy smoke was blanketing large parts of the state. People with breathing difficulties were advised to stay indoors, avoid exercise and use reliever medicine if appropriate.
Total fire bans were in force on Thursday for Illawarra/Shoalhaven, far south coast, Monaro Alpine, southern ranges, central ranges, northern slopes, north-western, southern slopes and the Riverina.Total fire bans were in force on Thursday for Illawarra/Shoalhaven, far south coast, Monaro Alpine, southern ranges, central ranges, northern slopes, north-western, southern slopes and the Riverina.
On Wednesday evening there were 49 bush and grass fires burning across NSW, with 25 uncontained. The Rural Fire Service conducted backburning on Wednesday night to protect properties ahead of worsening fire conditions expected on Thursday.On Wednesday evening there were 49 bush and grass fires burning across NSW, with 25 uncontained. The Rural Fire Service conducted backburning on Wednesday night to protect properties ahead of worsening fire conditions expected on Thursday.
The Tasmanian Fire Service also imposed a total fire ban for much of that state on Thursday due to forecast hot and windy conditions. The affected areas include Hobart, Launceston, the Derwent Valley, Northern Midlands, Southern Midlands, Flinders and George Town.The Tasmanian Fire Service also imposed a total fire ban for much of that state on Thursday due to forecast hot and windy conditions. The affected areas include Hobart, Launceston, the Derwent Valley, Northern Midlands, Southern Midlands, Flinders and George Town.
The fire danger in the large areas of the south and east of Tasmania on Thursday is rated severe.The fire danger in the large areas of the south and east of Tasmania on Thursday is rated severe.