Thousands of residents in Victoria, Australia, were ordered to evacuate as severe bushfires erupted in the state's west on Thursday. The small towns of Raglan and Beaufort, home to approximately two thousand people, faced immediate threats from the rapidly spreading flames.
The state emergency service urged everyone in these areas and nearby regions to leave promptly, directing evacuees eastward towards Ballarat, a regional hub located 95 kilometers west of Melbourne. Currently, about 50 square kilometers are engulfed by fires northwest of Ballarat, with similar areas burning uncontrollably to the west.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced that over 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze on the ground, supported by 24 aircraft and more than 100 vehicles. Additional resources are expected to arrive soon to help contain the fires.
'Leaving immediately is the safest option for those communities,' Allan stated at a news conference. 'If you are located in these areas, please heed this advice, please act now to save your own life.'
While no property damage has been reported yet, officials caution that it is too early for a complete assessment. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued extreme fire danger warnings for several districts due to the combination of hot, dry winds and the possibility of thunderstorms, further exacerbating the situation.
Fire authorities predict that the fires west of Ballarat will intensify throughout the evening until the winds begin to slow around midnight. Meanwhile, temperatures in the northwest of the state soared above 40 degrees Celsius at 3 p.m. GMT, creating ideal conditions for the fires to spread.
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Thousands ordered to flee as bushfire burns in Australia's south
cgtn.com
