Fire authorities are bracing for a challenging week ahead as they battle the Otways blaze, with extreme weather conditions expected to exacerbate the situation. Despite their efforts, they don't anticipate containing the fire before Tuesday, when temperatures are predicted to soar to 44 degrees Celsius. This is a dire forecast, as it will likely intensify the fire's spread and pose a significant threat to the surrounding communities.
The Carlisle River and Gellibrand areas in the Otways were recently evacuated due to the fire's rapid growth and proximity to these settlements. The fire's relentless advance continued on Sunday morning, coming within kilometers of Gellibrand, but conditions improved in the afternoon. The threat level was reduced to 'Watch and Act' on Sunday night, yet residents are advised against returning until it's deemed safe.
State Response Controller Jason Heffernan emphasized the dire situation, stating that the fire won't be contained before Tuesday's extreme weather. He expressed concern about the Carlisle River fire and the surrounding communities, promising specific messages and advice for residents later in the day. The potential loss of homes in the Otways area is a grim possibility, with Mr. Heffernan suggesting that buildings may have already been destroyed, pending official reports.
Fire authorities are also on high alert for other fires across the state, particularly the Walwa fire in the northeast, which is expected to face extreme conditions for up to eight days. The situation is further complicated by the poor air quality in Victoria, with the Environmental Protection Agency forecasting extremely poor air quality in the southwest and very poor conditions in central and north-central regions, including Melbourne. This is a direct consequence of the Otways fire, according to senior meteorologist Sarah Scully.
The battle against these fires is a collaborative effort, with firefighters from all Australian states and territories, as well as New Zealand, Canada, and other international sources, working tirelessly to combat the blazes. The Bureau of Meteorology's warning of low-lying smoke due to temperature inversions adds to the complexity, while the arrival of Canadian firefighters to assist in the Walwa and Wonnangatta fires brings a glimmer of hope in the fight against these devastating wildfires.
