Over two thousand people have been ordered to evacuate from towns in the western part of Victoria, Australia, due to a wildfire that spiraled out of control on Thursday.
The state's emergency services urged residents of Raglan and Beaufort, home to nearly two thousand individuals, as well as those in surrounding areas, to leave their homes and head east towards Ballarat, located 95 kilometers west of Melbourne.
The fire has engulfed an estimated area of 50 square kilometers northwest of Ballarat, with another uncontrolled fire reported further to the west.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan stated that over a thousand firefighters are currently battling the blaze, supported by 24 aircraft and more than a hundred vehicles. Additional firefighters are expected to join the efforts soon.
Officials have reported no property damage thus far, but it is still too early to accurately assess the potential extent of damage.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings on Thursday for several areas due to hot and dry winds, with the possibility of thunderstorms exacerbating the situation.
Country Fire Authority Chief Jason Heffernan, in a press conference, mentioned that the fires west of Ballarat are expected to intensify throughout the evening until around midnight when the wind speed is anticipated to decrease.
Temperatures in the northwest of the state exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) by 3 PM (0400 GMT).
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