Victorian firefighters get a reprieve as cooler weather brings relief

Firefighters believe mild conditions will help them get ahead of blazes in Victoria's East Gippsland region.

Fire crews are looking to capitalise on easing weather conditions.

Fire crews are looking to capitalise on easing weather conditions. Source: Facebook/CFA South East Region - ACO Trevor Owen

Bushfires in Victoria's East Gippsland have been downgraded as firefighters get a leg up on blazes thanks to milder weather conditions.

A watch and act warning remains active on Sunday for Tambo Crossing, Wattle Circle and Stirling, while the bushfire at Marthavale- Barmouth Spur is still not under control.

"Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay," the VicEmergency website states.
Fire crews have managed to get a handle on two blazes with warnings lowered to advice across Goroke, Lawloit, Little Desert, Peronne, Burnbank, Evansford and surrounding towns.
One of the fires, the Lexton-Ben Major bushfire in the vicinity of Mt Lonarch, has been contained after burning through 2711 hectares, and an advice warning in place.

It comes as the temperature took a dip on Sunday with about 24C forecast in Tambo Crossing, and a milder 22C in Melbourne, after a top of 44C in the Victorian capital.
The bushfires have been burning since November 21 but flared up on Saturday after a cool change came through and brought dry lightning strikes.

48.9 degrees C on the farm (western Vic) yesterday. Cockies falling dead from the trees. People and wildlife cannot withstand the extremes we are already experiencing and this is just 1 degree of warming. We are on track for more than 4. 😔#ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/cAQacRRP86
A relief centre has been set up at the Omeo Memorial Hall, 60 kilometres north, for people affected while generators have been set-up to restore power and services.

Hundreds of firefighters on the ground and in the air have been working across the state to contain the fires, which are concentrated in steep and largely inaccessible terrain.

People are advised to monitor the VicEmergency website.


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