Three homes destroyed as massive bushfire continues to burn
“On behalf of all Victorians I would like to thank them because what they did on Boxing Day in extreme fire danger saved a lot more anguish and pain that Victorians now don’t have to suffer.”
Four watch and act alerts are current in and around the Grampians National Park. The area from Long Gully Road to College Road remains unsafe.
Halls Gap residents were advised they could return home on Friday, but the park remains closed to tourists.
Conditions in western Victoria are expected to remain settled and mild over the weekend, before westerly winds give way to warmer northerlies on Monday.
Hardship payments have become available for people with homes in evacuation areas or who have suffered property damage, via the state and federal-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
A one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family has been offered to help cover essentials such as food, clothing, medication and accommodation.
As fire crews in Victoria enjoy the cool change, a total fire ban has been issued for NSW’s northern slopes region, as dry conditions, gusty winds and temperatures into the high 30s descend on Tamworth, Inverell and the Liverpool Plains.
“We do have heatwave conditions continuing, and warnings current for northeastern parts of NSW and much of Queensland,” weather bureau meteorologist Sarah Scully said.
Multiple fires are burning or have recently been contained in NSW, but only one grassfire near Tamworth has progressed beyond the advice warning level. Showers and storms developing during the afternoon and evening may be severe, Scully said.
