In a glimmer of holiday hope amidst the ashes, residents displaced by the raging Grampians bushfires in Victoria’s west have been granted a precious two-hour reprieve to retrieve Christmas gifts and belongings from their threatened homes. Dubbed “Operation Yuletide” by Country Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan, the temporary access aims to restore some festive normalcy for locals who may be relocated over Christmas.
Firefighters Gain Ground as Conditions Ease
The 41,000-hectare inferno has raged across the southern Grampians for a week, but cooler, milder weather on Monday night enabled ground crews to finally establish some containment lines. Heffernan credited their tireless efforts in battling the blaze.
We are allowing the residents under emergency services escort back into their properties … to get Christmas items … presents and the like.
– Jason Heffernan, CFA Chief
Police Escort for Christmas Eve Retrieval
Residents will have from 10 am to noon on Christmas Eve to access their properties via a police roadblock at the junction of Grampians Road and Ararat-Halls Gap Road. Proof of residence will be required to enter the zone.
Bushfires Contained But Not Controlled
While firefighters have managed to hem in the main fire fronts, the blazes are far from extinguished. Another bushfire at Bullengarook northwest of Melbourne has been contained, but one in Gurdies, West Gippsland continues to burn out of control.
Dangerous Fire Weather Looms After Christmas
Bushfire-battered Victoria is facing down its worst fire weather since the catastrophic Black Summer blazes, with temperatures set to soar past 40°C on Boxing Day. Those scorching conditions combined with howling winds have officials on edge.
We have some very difficult weather conditions on Thursday and Friday. These conditions will make it far easier for fires to start and to spread and for existing fires to race off in the direction of the wind.
– Rick Nugent, Emergency Management Commissioner
Travel with Caution This Christmas
As the extreme heat descends after the holiday, emergency officials are pleading with travelers to reconsider their plans. Most of Victoria except East Gippsland will sit at the highest possible fire danger rating by Thursday.
Interstate Reinforcements to Battle Blazes
Fire crews from NSW, ACT, Queensland and Tasmania are being deployed to Victoria, bolstering the ranks of exhausted local personnel. Their assistance will be vital as the bushfires are expected to intensify in the coming days.
Bushfire Threats Mount Across Australia
Victoria is far from the only state staring down a fiery Christmas and New Year period. Warnings are also in effect for areas of South Australia, New South Wales, and Western Australia as the bushfire crisis deepens nationwide.
