Both South Australia and Victoria are facing dire weather conditions today that are fuelling damaging and potentially deadly fires.
Here is the current situation in each State:
South Australia
UPDATE: There are fears that dozens of homes have been lost in the Adelaide Hills District as a bushfire continues to rage out of control. There are reports that so far up to 10,000 hectares of land has been ravaged by fire.
RT @SAPoliceNews: Emergency rd closures for #SampsonFlat #bushfire have been updated #SAFires http://t.co/cAgjRSQvt9… pic.twitter.com/NTbgMssS1x
— Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) January 3, 2015
The fire has been declared a major emergency giving authorities the power to forcibly evacuate people or stop them from entering the region.
Some have chosen to stay and defend their homes, however the overwhelming response has been to flee the area, with many evacuating to safer ground.
Reports indicate that fires have reached Cudlee Creek and Kersbrook Primary Schools.
Assistant chief officer Rob Sandford confirmed that seven firefighters have been injured after an appliance was caught in a fire.
“The full detail of those injuries we’re not aware of but they are being treated and supported by SA Ambulance,” he said.
“[Firefighters] are doing their absolute best in what are the worst of conditions imaginable for firefighting.
“We’re thinking likely dozens of houses lost.”
[box type=”warning” ]For more information on the SA fires visit www.cfs.sa.gov.au or call 1300 362 361 [/box]Victoria.
UPDATE: A cool change with strong winds and lightning is being reported in the area where the Moyton grass fire has been burning out of control.
ABC News is reporting that new fires are breaking out in the states west ahead of a band of rain expected to hit the region from Melbourne tonight.
There is a fast moving out-of-control bushfire travelling in a southerly direction from Reid Parade towards Wooleys Road, Crib Point that is threatening properties to the south of Woolleys Road including the Equestrian Centre.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed that 327 fires have been dealt with across Victoria from midnight Friday until 6am today.
“All but one of those has been able to be dealt with successfully,” he said.
“The Moyston fire continues to be a significant issue.
Many residents have started to evacuate their homes as emergency services warn they may not be able to help those who choose to stay behind.
Source: ABC News