Weather 
Victorians have been urged to brace for a potentially catastrophic fire day on Wednesday as the state continues to reel from damaging bushfires.
Six homes have been lost in the state’s west with bushfires having ravaged nearly 16,000 hectares around Bayindeen, west of Ballarat as more than 500 on-the-ground firefighters keep working to contain the blazes.
Victoria’s Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said assistance would be provided to those who lost their homes.
“228 impact assessments have been done in that community and sadly I can report that we have confirmation that six residential homes have been destroyed,” she said on Sunday.
“Obviously that is very sobering news for those families and we will certainly be having support measures for those communities, once that advice becomes more available.”
Conditions are set to worsen later this week with Ms Symes revealing there was “grave concern” from emergency services ahead of Wednesday’s weather.
“What we know already is that the indicators are in the extreme range. I was with chief of the CFA (Country Fire Authority) Jason Heffernan yesterday. He expressed his grave concern about what may eventuate on Wednesday. We’re expecting not only high temperatures but also wind is expected,” she said.
“And given the hot weather that we have had in recent weeks, a lot of drying has occurred, particularly in the west of the state.
“I do want to take the opportunity to remind Victorians who are in fire prone areas, particularly the west and central parts of the state, you must act. You must have your fire plan developed. You must have the conversations with your family members, your neighbours, and know what you’re going to do in the event of an evacuation.”
Mr Heffernan said Wednesday was the “upper end already of extreme” with a combination of severe heat and high winds threatening to cause “extreme and potentially catastrophic conditions”.
A Watch and Act warning is still in place for a large fire burning between Mt Cole and Raglan, about 70km northwest of Ballarat.
Residents have been told it is “not safe to return” if they have already left the warning area.
Firefighters have managed to slow the spread of the fire, however the situation “can change at any time” according to the VICEmergency website.
The website lists more than 25 communities potentially in danger including the towns of Amphitheatre and Elmhurst.
An advice warning has also been issued for several other nearby communities including Avoca, Glenbrae, Lexton and Trawalla with residents advised, while there is no current threat to them, to plan if danger becomes imminent.
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