기온이 떨어지고 바람도 약해지고 있지만 빅토리아 주의 여러 지역에 통제가 어려운 산불이 늘며 위험 수위도 높아지고 있다.
메이든 타운(Maiden Town), 왈하라(Walhalla) 등의 빅토리아 주 남동부 지역에 비상경보가 내려졌다.
소방 당국(VicEmergency)은 일요일 저녁 “이번 화재는 자택과 인명을 위협할 수 있는 잠재력을 가지고 있다”라며 “위험 상황으로, 생존을 위해 즉각적인 행동을 해야 한다”라고 강조했다.
오늘 강한 바람이 빅토리아주를 휩쓸 것으로 예상되는 가운데 빅토리아 주 북부 지역의 기온은 30도 초반으로 낮아질 것으로 보인다.
기상청의 피터 뉴햄 선임 예보관은 “남풍과 동쪽에서 발생하는 변덕스러운 바람을 동반할 것”으로 내다봤다.
앤드류 크리스프 비상 서비스 본부 위원장은 “약 1000명의 소방관들이 빅토리아 주 전역에서 발생한 수많은 화재와 싸우고 있다”라며 “우리 공동체를 안전하게 지키기 위해 필요한 일들을 할 것”이라고 강조했다.
한편 깁스랜드 동부(East Gippsland)에 위치한 팀바라(Timbarra) 인근에서 발생한 산불 역시 지역 주민들을 위협하고 있다.
소방 당국은 화재 진압에 어려움을 호소하며 “불이 봉쇄선을 넘어섰으며, 주민들은 즉각 대피해야 한다”라고 밝혔다.
또한 헵번(Hepburn) 인근의 70여 채의 주택이 위협을 받고 있는 가운데, 소방관들이 불길 진화를 위해 사력을 다하고 있다.
Thunderstorm activity in the state's east overnight could change the fire conditions.
Southerly winds are expected to sweep Victoria on Monday, bringing temperatures in the state's north to the low 30s while thunderstorms may still pack a punch in the east.
"Storms will still be a risk with showers with southerly winds and some erratic winds (in the east)," Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Peter Newham told AAP.
But the cool change will take longer to reach northeastern parts of the state.
Emergency Services Commissioner Andrew Crisp said about 1000 firefighters are battling the scores of fires across the state, along with "significant resources".
"They will do what they need to keep our community safe," Mr Crisp said.
Homes south of Gillingill are also being threatened by a bushfire near the Victorian town of Timbarra in East Gippsland.
Authorities say firefighters have been unable to stop the fire, which has crossed containment lines and residents should leave now.
Firefighters are also battling volatile conditions in central Victoria with about 70 homes close to Hepburn and Hepburn Springs under threat from fires.
Damaging winds, heavy rainfall and large hailstones are expected to cross some parts of the east of the state as thunderstorms strike late Sunday.
"Our priority is protecting life, and then it is about protecting assets," Emergency Services Commissioner Andrew Crisp.
"We knew (Sunday) was going to be a tough day for us as a state for our firefighters and our emergency services and that is the way it is panning out."
While firefighters are working to protect property, lives are their priority, he said.
The fire has also prompted a watch and act message for various areas Daylesford, Dry Diggings, Eganstown, Elevated Plains, Kidds Gully, Porcupine Ridge and Shepherds Flat.
Hot, dry conditions and temperatures soared into the 40s prompting a total fire ban across the state and severe fire danger forecasts in the Mallee, Wimmera, South West and Central districts.
More than 1000 firefighters are working on the fires burning across the state with the long-running Timbarra blaze, scorching 15,500 hectares since January 16.
"It's now up to Victorians to exercise good judgment and common sense so that they're ready as well," Premier Daniel Andrews said.
