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Trawool Bushfire Triggers Shelter Orders as Victoria Enforces Total Fire Bans

A volatile cool change with thunderstorms is expected to complicate firefighting.

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Two fire trucks and a white four wheel drive parked on yellow grass near trees as a helicopter flies through white smoke.
An emergency warning has been issued for Victoria’s north as an out-of-control bushfire burns.

Overview

  • An out-of-control blaze near the Goulburn Valley Highway at Trawool reached the highest warning level, with authorities telling parts of Kerrisdale, Tallarook and Trawool it was too late to leave and directing others to evacuate immediately.
  • Temperatures rose into the mid-30s with north to north-westerly winds of 30–40 km/h and gusts up to 50–60 km/h, ahead of a cool change that could bring severe thunderstorms and damaging gusts up to 90 km/h.
  • Total Fire Bans were declared for the Wimmera, South West, North Central, Central and West and South Gippsland districts, with extreme fire danger also forecast for parts of the state including the northeast.
  • Officials warned the state remains a tinderbox due to dry fuels and low humidity and urged residents to review bushfire plans, avoid activities that could ignite fires and follow shelter advice when warnings are issued.
  • Authorities reported the Walwa and Longwood fires have been brought under control, while the Otways blaze remains uncontained though crews are hopeful of near-term containment.