Halls Gap residents evacuated due to bushfires will be allowed back briefly to collect belongings. Victoria braces for extreme fire danger on Boxing Day with temperatures soaring into the mid-40s.
Residents and business owners of Halls Gap , a small village in the Grampians National Park in Victoria 's west, will be allowed to briefly return to their homes today to collect personal items after fleeing from out-of-control bushfires. Authorities are bracing for extreme fire danger in the region, and across the state more broadly, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-40s on Boxing Day .
The fire in Grampians National Park has now grown to more than 40,000 hectares and a 100-strong interstate personnel is being deployed to assist with the response.Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has warned Boxing Day will be 'problematic' and Victorians must be prepared for fires that have not yet started. 'The advice is very clear, this is the beginning of what will be a long, hot and dangerous bushfire season,' Carroll said.'Boxing Day is going to be a big day for our state. 'We've had fires already burning across Victoria and we're heading into even more extreme conditions on Boxing Day. ' The CFA is considering imposing a statewide Total Fire Ban on Boxing Day and is expected to confirm its decision today.Temperatures in the low- to mid-40s are expected across most of the state on Thursday with hot, northerly winds. 'The fuel is very dry, the bush is dry... it is ready to burn,' CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan warned.Authorities are urging all Victorians to have the VicEmergency app downloaded on their phones to remain up to date with fire danger over the coming days. In extreme weather it is not unusual to lose power and internet connectivity so Heffernan also encouraged people to have more than one source of fire danger information available to them, to know exactly where they are, know their fire risk and have a plan. Halls Gap residents who had evacuated will be able to return to their homes between 10am and 12pm today to collect personal belongings and ensure their properties are secured
Bushfires Victoria Fire Danger Halls Gap Boxing Day
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