Homes lost and towns on edge as major fires burn across Victoria
SOURCE:ABC Australia|BY:Steve Vivian
Authorities say the Longwood fire in central Victoria and fires in the Otways in the state's south-west are of greatest concern to firefighters as blazes continue to burn across the state.
Firefighters are continuing to battle multiple out-of-control bushfires in Victoria, with authorities monitoring wind changes across the state on Sunday.
Three emergency-level fires were still burning at lunchtime on Sunday — the Longwood fire in central Victoria, the Carlisle River fire in the Otways and the Walwa fire in north-east Victoria.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday travelled to the Bendigo Incident Control Centre to unveil a $19.5 million immediate support package alongside Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.
Jointly funded by the state and federal governments, the package includes $10 million to help get fodder to farmers suffering significant livestock losses, $1.5 million for emergency accommodation and $1 million for disaster recovery mental health support.
"It's estimated that thousands of head of cattle are likely to have been impacted and in need of urgent attention and care,"
the prime minister said.
"This package of funding will assist primary producers with the extraordinary costs of undertaking fodder distribution to ensure humane treatment of stranded livestock."
Fires are continuing to burn across Victoria as conditions remain difficult for firefighters. (AAP: Michael Currie)
The Australian Defence Force was providing support with things such as accommodation, he said, while the country was engaging with the United States and Canada about any assistance they may be able to provide.
Some structure loss estimates are based on aerial surveys of burnt areas, meaning authorities aren't yet able to provide a precise breakdown of how many of the destroyed structures are residential homes.
Agriculture sector leaders have previously warned the sector had taken a major hit due to significant livestock losses.
Multiple blazes still burning out of control
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Sunday morning said there were 32 active fires across the state.
Victorian authorities said there was no rapid movement of fire towards communities overnight and expressed some optimism about weather conditions on Sunday.
"With conditions more favourable today and cooler temperatures, we are hoping that our firefighters and crews on the ground can work towards containment lines for those fires," State Control Centre spokesperson Dharni Giri said on Sunday morning.
The Carlisle River fire burnt throughout Saturday. (Supplied: DEECA)
Forest Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said firefighting conditions remained difficult.
"We do still have some really high-risk conditions today, even though many fires have more benign conditions," he said on Sunday morning.
"But make no mistake, later today winds will pick up and fire will continue to challenge us."
The Longwood blaze has already burnt through 144,000 hectares of land in central Victoria, with the north-eastern edge of the fire on Saturday evening moving towards Euroa.
The towns of Bonnie Doon, Eildon and Marysville are expected to remain under threat in the coming days, authorities said.
In the Otways, the out-of-control fire at Carlisle River moved north-east toward the town of Colac and threatened the town of Gellibrand on Saturday afternoon, with winds proving extremely difficult for firefighters.
"Those fires are continuing to move in the landscape," Mr Hardman said.
"There are lots of firefighters out there and they are doing their best to build control lines."
State Control Centre spokeswoman Reegan Key urged people in the area to monitor warnings.
"Those fires are moving in the forest in that area and so we'd really like people to stay across what's happening if they're down along the Great Ocean Road or in that area," she said.
Communities learn scale of devastation
Authorities said sea breeze was forecast to pick up on Sunday afternoon and challenge firefighters.
Temperatures are forecast in the mid-30s around the Walwa fire on Sunday, where winds are expected to pick up later in the day.
A fire close to Dargo, near Wonnangatta, in north-east Victoria is also of concern, with conditions today expected to push the fire closer to the town.
Devastated communities on Saturday gathered at emergency centres in the aftermath of the fires that earlier destroyed homes and swept through the towns of Harcourt, in central Victoria, and Natimuk, in the state's west.
Fires in the Otways were burning quickly by Saturday morning. (Supplied: Wye River CFA)
Ms Allan said bushfire-affected residents wanting to check on the damage to their properties and livestock would have to be patient.
"Part of the challenge here is because of those active fires that I referred to continue to restrict safe road access, and until it is safe to clear those roads to restore road access it continues to be difficult," she said.
Ms Allan said a state-wide air quality notice was in place due to the ongoing bushfires.
Vulnerable people or people with respiratory illnesses should stay inside, she said, adding the notice could change as wind conditions develop.
A third consecutive day of total fire ban has been declared for the entire state of Victoria on Sunday.
A total fire ban has been declared for Sunday. (Supplied: CFA)
'Reality is hitting home'
On Saturday, residents in Natimuk in the state's west were left to sift through the devastation of a fire that ripped through the town on Friday.
Fire ripped through multiple homes in Natimuk. (ABC News: Daniel Taylor)
About 20 structures are estimated to have been destroyed in the town that sits about 30 kilometres west of the regional hub of Horsham.
A home destroyed by fire in Natimuk. (ABC News: Daniel Taylor)
Authorities on Saturday addressed Natimuk residents at a community meeting in Horsham, telling the crowd the conditions on Friday were so "atrocious" it made it "almost impossible to evacuate".
A community meeting was held in Horsham Town Hall on Saturday following the Natimuk fire. (ABC News: Daniel Taylor)
Horsham Mayor Brian Klowss on Saturday said it had been incredibly difficult for the community.
"Reality is hitting home. Here in Natimuk, at this meeting now, there's been quite a few tears," he said.
"I've had my own session this morning.
"Emotions are running very high."
Natimuk farmer Dylan Rethus attending to a roadside fire on Saturday. (ABC News: Angus Verley)
Residents at the south-eastern edge of the Longwood fire, in towns like Yea, Alexandra and Buxton, remained on high alert across Saturday, with many evacuating their homes.
On Saturday afternoon, CFA volunteer Shona Guest said she was preparing to rejoin her brigade on their tanker to battle the Longwood fire.
"Best case scenario, it doesn't get any windier, and it doesn't change direction and allows us just to continue blacking out," she said.
"Worst case scenario is the wind will change, blow it into unburnt territory, and we start all over again."
Longwood local Shona Guest will rejoin her brigade on Sunday after multiple days fighting fires. (ABC News: Nicole Asher)