Bushfire conditions across Victoria set to be the worst in five years

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Victoria's emergency services are preparing for an extended fire fight, saying Boxing Day could be the worst conditions the state has faced since the black summer bushfires five years ago. Three fires are still burning across Victoria. The biggest of them is in the Grampians, where more than 300 firefighters are working to prepare for Thursday, when hot and windy conditions will fan the flames before a gusty wind-change hits.

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00:00With cool winds and a top of 18, it doesn't feel like bushfire weather in Dunkelp.

00:08But just 15km north of here, the massive Grampians bushfire continues to burn.

00:15We have very active fire in the landscape, we have a big fire.

00:19More than 40,000 hectares have been burnt within a 300km fire boundary.

00:24But the big concern now is Boxing Day.

00:27With forecast temperatures in the 40s and hot northerly winds.

00:31As those winds swing round to the north, the pressure on that fire will be to drive hard to the south.

00:38So the communities around Dunkeld will be very much in the firing line again.

00:43Local crews have been busy preparing.

00:46We've done just over 200 hectares of burns to create almost a horseshoe shape around the northern interface of the town.

00:54Mary-Anne Brown will host a Christmas lunch on Wednesday, but has her fire plan ready.

00:59We'll probably have a discussion that day as to what we're going to do on Boxing Day.

01:03My personal fire plan is to leave early.

01:07Yes, we're taking bookings for Christmas Day lunch.

01:09It's normally the busiest time of year for the Royal Mail Hotel and its gourmet restaurants.

01:14Since the fires broke out last week, we've certainly seen a lot of cancellations come through.

01:19In the long term, it will be a financial blow to Dunkeld, but it's the immediate threat of fire that has the town on edge.

01:26With Thursday's fire danger rating at the high end of extreme.

01:30Boxing Day, we have to be clear, is going to be problematic.

01:34Boxing Day is going to be a big day for our state.

01:38More than 100 specialist firefighters and incident control teams from interstate will arrive in Victoria over coming days.

01:46As the state prepares for a lengthy battle.

01:49But authorities say those living in the fire zones need to act now.

01:53We can't state strongly enough how critical it is that you don't leave your decision until it's too late.

02:00Making the most of the calm before the storm.

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