Firefighters battle out-of-control in western Victoria

ABC NEWS (Australia)

An enormous bushfire that’s been burning in Victoria’s Grampians region for days has been downgraded – but authorities warn the danger is not over yet. Firefighters say it could take weeks to extinguish the blaze, as nearby communities brace for extreme fire weather in coming days.

Transcript

00:00We're on the very edge of the warning zone, around 200km from Melbourne and 50km from

00:09the front line of the Grampians blaze that's been burning since about Tuesday but really

00:14kicked off on Friday.

00:16The emergency warning has just been downgraded but the danger is far from over, so this base

00:22camp will keep going 24-7 for the next few days as firefighters recharge then head back

00:29out to keep fighting.

00:31The emergency warning for halls, gap and surrounding areas is now at a watch and act level but

00:36residents are being told it's still not safe to return.

00:39The bushfire at Grampians National Park is still not under control and will likely burn

00:44for weeks.

00:45So far it's burned more than 34,000 hectares.

00:48Despite the downgrade, nearby residents' Christmas plants have been thrown into chaos, especially

00:53because authorities have forecast particularly devastating fire conditions on Boxing Day.

00:59It's an anxious wait for people living in Pomona where another fire destroyed 46 homes

01:04in February.

01:05They're still under a watch and act warning but the forecast has locals on edge, some

01:09have their cars packed and ready to leave just in case.

01:13And the workers here will also plan to spend Christmas at base camp.

01:18We're having a full Christmas dinner for everybody and everything else so it's just like a big

01:22extended family.

01:24We've got turkey, ham, pork and we've got trifle and pudding.

01:31It's not known exactly how long this will all be set up as firefighters dig in for a

01:36long battle.

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