In the Australian state of Victoria, the fight against a fire that broke out in a national park almost a week ago is ongoing. On Sunday, the flames covered an area of 34,000 hectares and were still expanding. Residents of towns neighboring the park had to leave their homes and will not return before Christmas.
On Sunday, firefighters tried to control an out-of-control bushfire in western Victoria. The fire broke out in Grampians National Park on Monday after storm with lightning.
By Sunday, the flames had covered 34,000 hectares and the fire line was 250 kilometers long. Hundreds of firefighters are fighting the fire, using, among others, over 100 tankers and 25 fire-fighting planes.
Holidays away from home
Due to the highest level of fire danger, residents of the Grampians National Park area were ordered to immediately leave the area at the beginning of the week. Residents of Halls Gap, Bellfield and Lake Fyans fled their homes. On Sunday, although the alert level had been lowered, they were still unable to return home.
“People aren't quite sure what's going to happen,” said Karen Hyslop, mayor of Northern Grampians.
Everything indicates that the inhabitants of these towns will spend the entire holidays away from home. On December 26, the temperature in the region is forecast to reach 39 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to fight the fire.
– All these gifts, all the delicious food in the fridge. Everything was prepared for a wonderful Christmas, and now we are away from home, so it makes us sad – said one of the residents of Halls Gap.
“There is still a lot of flammable material in Grampians Park, which is a big challenge for us in the coming days,” said Garry Cook, deputy director of the Country Fire Authority, referring to the fire. He added that the area where the fire broke out is difficult to access. – We are doing everything we can to attack the fire from the air where it is safe to do so – he explained.
Dry vegetation and high temperature
Authorities have warned that after several seasons of relative calm, Australia's current summer carries a serious risk of bushfires due to dry vegetation, high temperatures and strong winds.
The media reminds that the largest-ever Australian bush fires in 2019-2020 destroyed an area of over 100,000. square kilometers and caused the death of at least 34 people.
PAP, The Guardian, ABC News, 9news.com.au
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JAMES ROSS