Australia: Emergency crews responding to bushfire near Beaufort in Victoria as of Feb. 28 /update 2

Emergency crews are working to contain a bushfire burning near Beaufort in Victoria as of Feb. 28. The fire broke out in Mount Buangor State Park around 10:00 Feb. 22 near Bayindeen-Rocky Road. The fire has grown to more than 22,232 hectares (54,936 acres), and about 1,000 firefighting personnel are on-site tackling the blaze.

Watch and act warnings advising people that it is not safe to return have been issued for Amphitheatre, Bayindeen, Ben Nevis, Chute, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlogie, Glenpatrick, Main Lead, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch, Raglan, and Waterloo. Authorities have informed residents in the areas surrounding the Bayindeen bushfire, including Amphitheater, Beaufort, Clunes, Elmhurst, Learmonth, and Lexton areas, to leave their homes due to the Extreme Fire Danger conditions Feb. 28. Officials have established relief centers at Princes Park Reserve in Maryborough, Ararat Football Ground in Ararat, and Selkirks Stadium in Ballarat.

Several roads in the affected areas have been closed, including sections of the Pyrenees Highway. More information on road closures can be found here. Authorities could issue new warnings or upgrade/rescind existing warnings as the fire develops over the coming hours and days; the latest information regarding warnings and advice can be found here. Reports indicate that the fire has destroyed three homes north of Beaufort and another six near Raglan.

The bushfire will likely continue to cause road closures and localized transport disruptions in the affected area. Depending on the progression of the bushfire, the status of nearby roads could change over the coming hours and days. Authorities will probably close additional routes within the bushfire complex and evacuate more communities due to fire activity and the needs of response operators. The return of residents could disrupt traffic flows after authorities lift evacuation orders. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall could contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region. Power outages are possible if fires damage power infrastructure. Authorities may cut off power to parts of the affected area to aid firefighting efforts.

Smoke from fires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, and possibly building materials. Such smoke can hurt the eyes, irritate the respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Smoke may also worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).