‘Uncontrollable’: 30,000 told to evacuate or risk being isolated and trapped as western Victoria faces ‘catastrophic’ fire danger

Thousands of residents in western Victoria have been warned to evacuate amid some of the most catastrophic fire conditions not seen in the state in years. The warning was issued to about 30,000 residents as an out-of-control bushfire continues to burn. Dangerous fire conditions are predicted for most of the state on Wednesday, with a total fire ban in place over most of the far west of the state from the NSW border down to Roseneath in the south and west to Emu. A bushfire on Bayindeen-Rocky Road has already burned through a significant area near Beaufort. Evacuation orders were issued about 7am on Wednesday for those who are yet to leave the suburbs of Amphitheatre, Bayindeen, Ben Nevis, Chute, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlogie, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch and Raglan. Most people started packing up last night, but anyone wishing to evacuate must be out before midday on Wednesday before its too late to leave. “Anyone still in these areas should leave early this morning,” a notice on the VicEmergency website reads. “Go to the homes of family or friends outside the warning areas.” “Do not wait until the bushfire spreads closer before moving to a safer location. The fire could grow significantly and may become uncontrollable. “If you do not leave this morning, you may become isolated and your route to safer locations may be blocked. Firefighters continue to work on the fires edge, while aircraft are used to waterbomb the landscape. Road closures are possible, including roads that have recently been reopened.