It is still unsafe for residents to return to their bushfire-ravaged communities in western Victoria as firefighters continue to battle several blazes.
Homes have been lost in Pomonal, east of the Grampians National Park, but it is unclear how many, Premier Jacinta Allan said.
“We are still in the emergency response phase, this event is still ongoing,” she told reporters at the State Control Centre on Wednesday.
“There are people who spent last night in a relief centre not knowing if they’ve got a home to go back to today, and our thoughts are with them.”
The threat has eased in the Grampians National Park, but two watch and act warnings for separate fires remain in place for residents in areas to the park’s north and east.
Almost all fires sparked in Victoria yesterday were believed to be sparked by lightning strikes as storms lashed the state and winds between 120km/h and 157km/h downed trees and electrical infrastructure, state emergency commissioner Rick Nugent said.
The State Emergency Service has received 4600 calls for assistance between 9am on Tuesday and 11.30am Wednesday.
The blaze near Pomonal and Bellfield, which has burned more than 2100 hectares, remains the main focus for crews.
Authorities will asses the fireground on Wednesday for any loss of life and damage to properties.
Five country firefighters suffered minor burns from cinders after flames went over their truck at Pomonal on Tuesday night.
Another fire near Mount Stapylton, further north in the national park, is burning at watch and act level.
Relief centres have been set up at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre in Ararat and the Grampians Community Health in Stawell.
“The situation is continuing to quickly evolve,” Ms Allen said.
The threat from an uncontrolled bushfire at Newtown near Ballarat has reduced after residents were told to evacuate from a grassfire spread into a forest.
Five schools and 27 early-learning centres are closed on Wednesday across southwest Victoria.
Victoria sweltered through three days of hot conditions before more than 20 fires broke out.
Temperatures dropped on Wednesday following a cool change but fire conditions were expected to persist.
Source: AAP
