Victoria has declared a state-wide ban on fires from December 26 as authorities prepare for the heat, gusty winds and extreme conditions on Boxing Day.
The declaration comes as fires rage across the Grampians, engulfing more than 43,000 hectares and continuing to burn for several days. The situation is expected to worsen over the next few days, with temperatures in the Wimmera region expected to soar to 40 degrees on Thursday.
Wind speeds of 80km/h to 90km/h are expected on Boxing Day, with gusts of up to 100km/h possible in highland areas in the western region, a major concern for firefighters.
The bushfire situation is set to intensify in South Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned SA residents to prepare for hot and windy conditions. There will be a total fire ban in the Mt Lofty Ranges from midnight.
Victoria Fire Authority (CFA) Chief Officer Jason Heffernan warned on Thursday that if a fire breaks out or escapes through containment lines, it is expected to move “very quickly”.
Heffernan said the return window for Halls Gap residents has been closed and the evacuation has been completed. Other areas of bushland were being urged to take precautions such as maintaining their lawns and cutting overhanging branches.
“I know it’s probably not what I want to do for Christmas,” he said. “But if you have family and friends coming over for Christmas lunch, you might want to spend the afternoon preparing the grounds.”
The fire in the Grampians National Park in western Victoria is expected to continue burning for several weeks.
Mr Heffernan also encouraged people to discuss bushfire survival plans with visitors.
Mr Heffernan said despite light rain and extensive preparation and containment efforts, authorities expected the fire to burn at 144 hectares in the run-up to Boxing Day.
“We have had two days of relatively calm weather across the fire scene, which has allowed firefighters and local landowners, particularly in the Grampians region, to strengthen containment lines, prepare and landscape the landscape. We've set up more containment lines inside and are ready to go.''Tomorrow is going to be a very difficult day for our firefighters.''
A lack of winter and spring rain has left much of the state, especially the scrubland, unusually dry.
Earlier on Tuesday, residents near the Grampians fire were given two hours to return to collect their belongings before Christmas.
A police barricade at the intersection of Grampians Road and Ararat Halls Gap Road was opened between 10am and midday on Tuesday.
For the past week, proof of residency has been required to access the 41,000-hectare area engulfed by the inferno.
Mr Heffernan said temporary access was being provided to provide some festive normality for local residents.
“This operation, which I am calling 'Operation Christmas', allows residents under escort from emergency services to return to their premises to pick up Christmas items, presents and more,” he said. spoke on Seven's Sunrise program earlier on Tuesday.
“[This is] This is to ensure that if Halls Gap residents relocate for Christmas, they will at least have what they need. ”
Mr Heffernan said Monday night's cool and mild temperatures had allowed firefighters on the ground to “somewhat contain” the fire in the southern Grampians.
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As of midday AEDT, the CFA had currently issued fire alerts for four locations in the state, including Belfield, Loch Fiennes, Barton and Londonbury.
Another bushfire at Brengarrock in Melbourne's north-west has been extinguished. The Gardies fire in western Gippsland has burned 43,000 hectares and continues to burn further north.
The Grampians National Park remained closed as more than 600 firefighters and 100 vehicles battled the out-of-control blaze.
The CFA had issued three “stay informed” warnings for Willaura, Lake Lonsdale and Blengarroch.
The CFA expects more than 100 personnel to arrive in the coming days, with more extreme conditions expected for the rest of the week.
Holidaymakers have been warned to stay updated on the fire situation as several states face an increased risk of wildfires.
In New South Wales, large parts of the state were under fire danger on Boxing Day, although several small bushfires continued to burn but remained under control.
Firefighters in South Australia on Monday urged residents to evacuate in the Onkaparinga Hills of the Mt Lofty Ranges as they battle wildfires that have gotten out of control.
South Australia's regional regions are expected to experience extreme heat on Boxing Day, with temperatures in Adelaide expected to reach a high of 36 degrees, up from the previous forecast of 37 degrees on Christmas Day.
Firefighters in Western Australia strengthened a bushfire warning on Monday night and warned residents it was “too late to leave” as the fire intensified near the wheatbelt town of Northam, about 100km north-east of Perth.
Australian Associated Press and
