There are warnings for several regional communities in Victoria and Tasmania as bushfires begin to impact both states.
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Key events
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Live updates
How to stay across the latest warnings
- For the latest warnings, visit the ABC Emergency website.
- Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates — find your local broadcaster here.
- And the Vic Emergency app or TasALERT.
ABC reporter Bridget Rollason is in Ballarat
Ballarat is south-east of a bushfire burning at Bayindeen-Rocky Road.
Prevention is better than cure when it comes to heat related illnesses, says Andrew North
St Johns Ambulance Volunteer Andrew North is here talking about how to prevent heat related illnesses in light of extreme temperatures we're experiencing across Victoria and Tasmania.
Loading...Here's what the fire at Central Highlands looks like from the sky
Some more photos from Central Highlands, Tasmania
WATCH: The Victorian CFA gives an update on bushfire in state's west
The fire burning near Bayindeen is continuing to grow in intensity.
Jason Hefferman from Victoria's Country Fire Authority says the fire has grown significantly and warned nearby residents to prepare for evacuation.
More photos from bushfire near Ararat
ABC reporter Natalie Whiting sent these photos through of a fire burning near Ararat.
The fire is moving in a south-easterly direction and is not yet under control.
An Emergency Warning has been expanded to include Ballyrogan, Bayindeen, Beaufort, Buangor, Buangor East, Challicum, Cross Roads, Eurambeen, Lake Goldsmith, Langi Kal Kal, Main Lead, Middle Creek, Mount Cole, Nerring, Raglan, Shirley, Stockyard Hill, Trawalla, Waterloo, Yalla-y-poora.
Residents are being told to leave immediately and head towards Ballarat.
Emergency Warning for Dee in Tasmania
An Emergency Warning has been issued for the small community of Dee.
An uncontrolled bushfire is expected to put lives in danger and may destroy homes as early as 3:30pm.
Fire conditions are expected to be uncontrollable and unpredictable.
The fire is travelling towards Dee Lagoon.
There is expected to be thick smoke, and showers of embers which may cause fires all around you.
The advice is to seek shelter now.
What to pack when evacuating from a bushfire
If you live in an area that has been issued with an evacuation warning, it may be overwhelming to know what to bring with you in a hurry.
VicEmergency recommends you gather the following things when preparing to evacuate:
- Cash
- Clothing for three days
- Medicine for three days
- Phone and chargers
- Toiletries
- Important documents
- Mementos and photos
- Pet essentials, including leash and carriers.
If possible, make sure your neighbours are aware of the situation and check if they need help.
It is also advisable to check the VicRoads website for road closures.
You can learn more about what you'll need to include in your bushfire survival kit at the ABC Emergency website:
More power outages across Victoria
About 670 AusNet customers remain without power following storm damage from last Tuesday.
AusNet says that's expected to be restored by later this afternoon.
However, there are a further 2,500 properties without power today mainly in Melbourne's outer east.
Franklins Rd fire downgraded to Advice Level
The bushfire at Franklins Road, Crabtree, in the southern part of Tasmania has been downgraded to an Advice level warning.
The fire is travelling towards Crouchs Hill but there is no immediate threat.
Update from Victoria's State Control Centre
An emergency warning is still in effect for a bushfire at Bayindeen-Rocky Road, north-west of Ballarat.
State Control Centre spokesperson Luke Hegarty told ABC Melbourne radio that weather conditions were adding to the intensity of the blaze as it moved in a south-easterly direction.
"That fire is certainly building up a bit of steam based on the very hot weather and the strong winds that we're experiencing at the moment," he said.
"We're recommending people around Bayindeen, Middle Creek, Mount Cole, Buangor to leave immediately."
Residents in Buangor East, Chute, Eurambeen, Main Lead, Raglan, Waterloo are also being asked to prepare to evacuate.
The Beaufort Relief Centre is open and located at Community Bank Complex, Park Street, Beaufort.
With storms forecast across the state later in the afternoon, Mr Hegarty said there was a few the weather change could generate some new fires.
"There's a risk of some dry lightning coming through with those storms, Mr Hegarty said.
"That wind change is definitely on its way, and it's a pretty strong wind change, which means that any new fires that have started are potentially going to be impacted"
Here are some videos we've been sent of fires in south-west Victoria
Two Watch and Act warnings current for Tasmania
There are currently two fires burning at Watch and Act level in Tasmania, as of 1:40pm.
One of the warnings is in place for Franklins Road Crabtree and surrounds.
There is also a warning in place for Dee, Bradys Lake, Tarraleah and Surrounds.
This fire may impact Dee, Bradys Lake, Tarraleah and surrounds by 4.00pm.
The advice for anyone in both of these area is to prepare to leave.
More residents told to prepare to evacuate in south-west Victoria
A Watch and Act message has been issued for Buangor East, Chute, Eurambeen, Main Lead, Raglan, and Waterloo.
Residents are advised to prepare to evacuate.
There is a bushfire at Bayindeen-Rocky Roads that is not yet under control.
It is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Eurambeen-Raglan Road.
For context, there is an Emergency Warning in place at for towns right next to these ones.
They include Bayindeen, Buangor, Middle Creek and Mount Cole where residents are being told to leave immediately.
Prepare to leave for Southern Tasmanian communities
A Watch and Act message has been issued for residents in Franklins Road, Crabtree and surrounds.
Residents here should prepare to leave.
This fire which is travelling towards Crabtree is expected to impact Franklins Road, Crabtree and surrounds now.
Tasmania Fire Service is attending. Conditions are expected to worsen.
Emergency Warning for Bayindeen and surrounds in Victoria
An Emergency Warning has been issued for Bayindeen, Buangor, Middle Creek and Mount Cole.
Residents here are being advised to leave immediately before conditions become too dangerous.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
According to the 2021 census, there are 22 that live in Bayindeen, 112 that live in Buangor, 22 in Middle Creek and 21 in Mount Cole.
Here's what the fire looks like in south-west Victoria
Air support has been requested to attend the Mount Buangor fire in south-west Victoria, as 17 CFA units continue to battle the grass and scrub fire.
The Pyrenees Shire Mayor Cr Robert Vance said it was still early, and the council would continue to check-in with the community.
"The only advice I can give is for those to evacuate, to do so," Cr Vance said.
"The best place to be is away from the fire."
Reporting by Laura Mayers
Prepare to leave in central Tasmania
A Watch and Act warning has been issued for Dee, Bradys Lake, Tarraleah and surrounds.
Residents in these small towns are being advised to prepare to leave.
There is a bushfire travelling towards Bradys Lake which may be difficult to control.
Bradys Lake had a population of 42 according to the 2021 census.
There are several other fires burning around central Tasmania.
Prepare to evacuate in Bayindeen in Victoria's south-west
There is currently a Watch and Act in place for Bayindeen and surrounding areas in south-west Victoria.
Residents near Bayindeen, Buangor, Glenlogie, Middle Creek, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch and Raglan are being advised to prepare to evacuate.
There is a bushfire at Rocky Road, Warrak, that is not yet under control.
There is an advice level warning for Pomonal in the state's west and also one in Parwan, west of Melbourne's CBD.
