Daily London
An intense heat band that swept the state yesterday put pressure on multiple infernos across the state.
Authorities have warned a bushfire burning out of control at Carlisle River has grown overnight and is within one kilometre of Gellibrand.
The blaze is travelling from the west of Gellibrand in an easterly direction towards the town.
Residents in Gellibrand and Carlisle River are warned to take immediate shelter.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the emergency warning issued by Fire Forest Management Victoria.
“If you have not left, the safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.”
Residents in Barongarook West, Carlisle River, Gellibrand, Irrewillipe and Irrewillipe East were urged to evacuate last night as the fire moved in a southerly direction.
Aircraft and emergency response crews spent the night trying to quell the spread of the fire.
There are several other watch and act warnings in place across Victoria, including for fires burning at Walwa in the state’s north-east, and at Dargo in Gippsland.
The mercury surpassed 38 degrees in both Melbourne and the south-west of the state yesterday, while temperatures soared into the 40s in the Mallee region.
While the south-west coast is expected to receive a reprieve from the heat today, temperatures in northern Victoria will continue to soar.
A Total Fire Ban has been declared today for the Northern Country, North Central, North East and East Gippsland districts.
An extreme fire danger rating is in place for the North East.
