Cooler weather across Victoria has finally granted firefighters the opportunity to contain bushfires raging through the state, especially around the Grampians National Park. After enduring three days of steeply rising temperatures, which peaked near 40 degrees Celsius, the arrival of this cool change is being welcomed by emergency responders. Yet, the weather forecast indicates fluctuatings temperatures may continue to challenge containment efforts, as meteorologist Angus Hines noted, temperatures may rebound to the mid to upper 30s yet again.
Victorian firefighters are not only facing the challenges posed by the weather fluctuations but are also receiving assistance from 114 personnel from South Australia, the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory as they work to suppress the flames, according to State Control Centre spokesman Luke Heagerty. He expressed gratitude for the interstate support, stating, "We know we'll make some great progress over the next few days, whilst the weather's on our side." But as this situation develops, risks remain high, particularly for communities near Wartook.
Fire crews are currently prioritizing the protection of unburnt areas around the towns near Halls Gap, as they manage three major blazes within the Grampians. Approximately 700 firefighters are deployed, battling the uncontrolled flames particularly focused near the south of the national park and far north near the Little Desert National Park, as harsh conditions and winds exacerbate existing fire threats.
Yet, amid firefighting efforts, organizations, including the National Rural Health Alliance, are addressing alarming trends linked to the increase of climate events, indicating inadequacies within local health services. "Health professionals are not currently equipped to deal with the frequency and scale of climate change events," remarked Susi Tegen, chief executive of the Alliance. There is rising pressure as hospitals have reported more admissions related to fire threats, raising concerns about their capabilities to respond effectively during emergencies.
Specifically, Nationals MP Emma Kealy has vocally criticized the state Labor government for the lack of evacuation protocols when the Little Desert fire threatened the Dimboola District Hospital on Australia Day. Kealy was concerned about the fire coming dangerously close to the facility, just 350 meters away, emphasizing the need for prioritizing safety for patients and staff.
Responding to the criticisms, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas pointed to the complex nature of evacuation decisions made by experts based on real-time information from Emergency Management Victoria. She stated, "The decision about whether to evacuate a hospital or a public sector aged care facility is complex ... and is made by experts," reinforcing the point of prioritization depending on the situation at hand.
On the frontline of these efforts, concerns rise not only from the emergency responders but also from the communities themselves. Grazier Brett Monaghan, who recently moved over 400 sheep from his property at Brimpaen due to the fire's advance, expressed unease. "I don't think anybody's completely relaxed at this point," he commented, stressing the constant vigilance required as he keeps watch for nearby smoke.
Across the state, communities are facing the dual burden of extreme weather conditions. On Tuesday night, the fires sparked alarms across multiple regions. Some areas of the Mallee, particularly close to the Grampians, are under imminent evacuation warnings, urging residents to leave due to rapidly spreading fires fueled by unpredictable winds.
The weather bureau had reported around 146,000 lightning strikes across Victoria due to severe thunderstorms, leaving around 1,700 properties statewide without electricity as emergency services respond to calls for assistance.
Tim Meyer, the mayor of the West Wimmera Shire, noted their consistent experience with bushfire emergencies over recent years, stating, "We just need the resources [to fight fires], that's the main thing," explicitly highlighting the need for air support for firefighting operations.
Meanwhile, as firefighters remain engaged and the risk to communities still looms large, Premier Jacinta Allan has affirmed continued government efforts to support emergency services during this emergency phase. She stated her commitment to listening to local needs and ensuring resources remain available as they work through this volatile chapter.
While efforts increase to consolidate fire controls, the broader impacts of climate change on communities and health services must also be recognized to devise long-term strategies to bridge resilience gaps caused by more frequent extreme weather events. The outlook remains unpredictable, yet the collective focus remains on the safety of residents and effective management of resources and health services during these unprecedented times.