No way out: Tourists refusing to leave East Gippsland face being TRAPPED due to road closures

Holidaymakers refusing to leave East Gippsland in Victoria face being trapped by fires as authorities prepare to shut a major highway.

About 30,000 tourists as well as 45,000 locals were told to leave the East Gippsland region on Sunday in what would be one of the biggest mass evacuations in Australia’s history. 

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said it was now too dangerous for people to leave. 

‘If you’re not out by 9am, you’ve got to stay where you are, because there’s every chance the Princes Highway could be cut,’ he told Sunrise. 

Victorian authorities have released dire emergency warnings about bushfires in East Gippsland on Monday 

Temperatures are set to soar into the 40s across Victoria on Monday, with a total fire ban in place across the state and extreme fire danger ratings in most regions

Temperatures are set to soar into the 40s across Victoria on Monday, with a total fire ban in place across the state and extreme fire danger ratings in most regions

‘We almost had that for a few hours yesterday afternoon. In fact, the highway was closed for a few hours with a new fire near Cann River.

‘We saw the fire travel 26 kilometres overnight, a column that was punching 14,000 metres into the air.’ 

Mr Crisp reiterated that residents should not be in East Gippsland on Monday amid the dangerous conditions.  

‘We definitely have a traffic management plan for the highway,’ Mr Crisp said, adding that once the fire starts to move the highway will be shut and ‘people will be stuck’. 

‘So this is an opportunity particularly for people who are in the forests or parks to get out now,’ he said. 

Temperatures are set to soar into the 40s across Victoria on Monday, with a total fire ban in place across the state and extreme fire danger ratings in most regions. 

The fire front is approaching areas in East Gippsland and is expected to worsen on Monday

The fire front is approaching areas in East Gippsland and is expected to worsen on Monday

The fire has burned through much of the bushland and has offered no indication of slowing down (pictured is an aerial view of the Gippsland fires taken on December 29)

The fire has burned through much of the bushland and has offered no indication of slowing down (pictured is an aerial view of the Gippsland fires taken on December 29)

Vic Emergency released emergency warnings for the blazes in East Gippsland

Vic Emergency released emergency warnings for the blazes in East Gippsland

There is an emergency warning for Furnell, Tamboon, Tamboon South, Wingan River for an out-of-control bushfire at Wingan River, about 20 kilometres east of Cann River. 

Vic Emergency said ‘It is too late to leave’ and urged residents to seek shelter. 

Another emergency warning has been issued for Brookville, Dogtown, Double Bridges, Ensay, Holstons, Nunniong, Reedy Flat, Stirling, Tambo Crossing, Timbarra, Wattle Circle for bushfires in the Ensay and Tambo Crossing area.  

At 8.30am on Monday, Vic Emergency was encouraging residents to flee. 

‘Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.

‘Leave north on the Great Alpine Road towards Swifts Creek and Omeo.

‘Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.’  

Incident controller Ben Rankin from the Gippsland region likened the conditions to that of Black Saturday in 2009, when 180 people died. 

The Bureau of Meteorology expects strong and gusty winds throughout Monday, as well as thunderstorms that will give way to much cooler air across Victoria later during the day. 

More than 70 helicopters and planes will be working on Monday if conditions allow. 

The Princes Highway closed and opened again on Sunday night, but Vic Emergency warned people should not expect it to remain open on Monday. 

East Gippsland Mayor John White said bushland in the region was bone dry after three years of drought. 

Some tourists said they've been sent 'mixed signals' after receiving texts urging them to leave immediately, but later being told by motel staff they were safe

Some tourists said they’ve been sent ‘mixed signals’ after receiving texts urging them to leave immediately, but later being told by motel staff they were safe

‘Hopefully people heed the messages. You can rebuild homes, sheds and fences but life is irreplaceable,’ he said. 

But many are taking little notice of the warnings.  

Managers at holiday parks within the East Gippsland region, particularly at the Lakes Entrance, said most of their customers were opting to stay and had taken a relaxed approach.

‘We know that some people have left, others are staying,’ Iain Podd, who remains at a holiday park on the edge of the fire zone, told The Australian. 

‘The receptionist here has told us that the direction of the wind means we won’t be affected. But of course we will move on if the situation changes.’

Michael Smits, who manages the Big 4 Whiters Holiday Village at Lakes Entrance, said just six of the 67 groups staying there had evacuated.  

‘Many people are saying that they’re going to hang about town, go to a cafe, perhaps go to the beach or wander up and down The Esplanade. There’s certainly no panic,’ he said.

Others said they have chosen to stay put because a mass evacuation would cause chaos on the roads.

‘Thirty, forty thousand people onto the Princess Highway at once. That’s just chaos – an accident waiting to happen. Emergency services couldn’t keep up – and neither could the road,’ one holidaymaker told Seven News.     

Firefighters have been battling blazes in the region for weeks. This picture was uploaded last Sunday after a day of battling blazes

Firefighters have been battling blazes in the region for weeks. This picture was uploaded last Sunday after a day of battling blazes

The blacked out circle shows the area from which authorities were urging people to evacuate on Sunday

The blacked out circle shows the area from which authorities were urging people to evacuate on Sunday

Meanwhile, other tourists said they were sent ‘mixed signals’ after receiving texts urging them to leave immediately, but later being told by motel staff they were safe.

One woman who shared the confusion to Twitter was encouraged to evacuate and said she was given a three-night refund by the motel management.

‘You won’t be able to sue the motel for the bad advice if you’re dead,’ one person wrote in response to her questioning whether she should leave. 

In Victoria, emergency services cannot force people to leave their homes or residences. 

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews posted a Tweet on Sunday urging tourists to leave.

‘If you are in East Gippsland you should leave today while it’s safe to do so,’ Mr Andrews posted.

‘Residents should activate their fire plan and consider staying with friends and family outside the area. If you are visiting, you should leave today. Please DO NOT travel to the area.’ 

Victorian authorities have told tourists in Lakes Entrance (pictured) to leave now due to wild bushfires in East Gippsland

Victorian authorities have told tourists in Lakes Entrance (pictured) to leave now due to wild bushfires in East Gippsland

Firefighters tackling a blaze in Gippsland. Catastrophic fire conditions are forecast for Monday, leading Victorian authorities to warn holiday makers to evacuate immediately

Firefighters tackling a blaze in Gippsland. Catastrophic fire conditions are forecast for Monday, leading Victorian authorities to warn holiday makers to evacuate immediately

The extreme weather conditions forced Falls Festival in Lorne to cancel the remainder of the acts.

About 9,000 festivalgoers were sent home as the region braces for severe weather, including winds up to 100km/h and storms.

In a statement on Sunday morning, festival organisers Secret Sounds said conditions posed a risk to health and safety.

‘It is with a heavy heart we have had to cancel the remaining days of The Falls Festival in Lorne due to the predicted extreme weather conditions forecast for Monday December 30th in the Otways and surrounding region, creating a risk to health and safety due to potential fires, smoke, severe winds and tree hazards. 

‘The decision has not been made lightly, our patron and staff safety is our priority,’ the statement said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was in Sydney announcing compensation for NSW volunteers on the fire grounds, said other states were also on his mind.

‘We are seeing a real difficult situation emerging in Victoria where we know of the weather conditions particularly changing over the next few days,’ he said on Sunday.

'Leave now' warnings have been put in place for parts of Victoria as the weather conditions are predicted to worsen

‘Leave now’ warnings have been put in place for parts of Victoria as the weather conditions are predicted to worsen

Event organisers have advised festival goers not to return to Lorne (pictured) or other coastal towns on the Great Ocean Road as they are facing the same extreme weather conditions

Event organisers have advised festival goers not to return to Lorne (pictured) or other coastal towns on the Great Ocean Road as they are facing the same extreme weather conditions

‘I want to assure Australians outside New South Wales … our attention is equally there and ensuring the coordinated effort across states and territories is being put in place.’ 

This bushfire season has already taken nine leaves and destroyed more than 1,000 properties along much of the east coast of Australia.

The blazes have shown no sign of slowing down. 

Dangerous fire weather and poor air quality are forecast for NSW as firefighters brace for deteriorating bushfire conditions ahead of New Year’s Eve.

The Bureau of Meteorology says temperatures will start building on Monday and are likely to climb past 40C in western Sydney and parts of regional NSW by Tuesday.

‘Conditions will deteriorate again as it heats up on Monday with very high to severe fire dangers forecast for areas of the state,’ the bureau said on Sunday evening.

The NSW environment department is forecasting poor air quality in Sydney on Monday, warning that pollution will be ‘unhealthy for sensitive people’, particularly those with heart or lung diseases.

A 'severe' heatwave sweeping across Australia is expected over the New Year period. Pictured: National forecast for Monday, with light purple meaning 45C and red 28C

A ‘severe’ heatwave sweeping across Australia is expected over the New Year period. Pictured: National forecast for Monday, with light purple meaning 45C and red 28C

RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says deteriorating weather conditions could result in ‘extreme’ fire danger across large parts of the state by Tuesday.

‘We can expect a broad geographic area of extreme fire danger ratings, which will extend through places like the southern ranges, the Illawarra south coast and probably down through to the Monaro area, down through the high country,’ he told reporters on Sunday.

Severe fire danger ratings are in place on Monday for the southern Riverina, southern slopes, Monaro alpine region, southern ranges and far south coast.

Total fire bans are also in place for large chunks of eastern and southern NSW.

‘Deteriorating conditions are forecast the next few days with expected high temperatures and strong winds,’ the RFS said on Sunday evening.

‘If you have plans to travel through or are staying in bushfire prone areas during this time you should consider the risk, monitor changing conditions and be aware that roads may be closed without warning.’

The NSW Rural Fire Service says Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display is unlikely to be canned despite concerns about bushfire conditions.

The Country Fire Service is on high alert as catastrophic bushfire conditions return to South Australia on Monday, with strong winds risking bushfire breakouts.

The temperature is forecast to reach 40C in Adelaide on Monday, with some regional centres to get even hotter.

But it’s a cool change in the afternoon that is causing the most concern, with strong and shifting winds set to heighten the risk of bushfires spreading.

The Country Fire Service is particularly worried about the potential for breakouts from the Adelaide Hills fire, and from a blaze on Kangaroo Island that continues to smoulder.

The Adelaide Hills fire has already burnt through 25,000 hectares and destroyed more than 80 homes since it was sparked amid similar conditions 10 days ago.

Pictured: Gospers Mountain blaze in New South Wales on December 21. Dangerous fire weather and poor air quality are forecast for NSW as firefighters brace for deteriorating bushfire conditions ahead of New Year's Eve

Pictured: Gospers Mountain blaze in New South Wales on December 21. Dangerous fire weather and poor air quality are forecast for NSW as firefighters brace for deteriorating bushfire conditions ahead of New Year’s Eve

CFS chief officer Mark Jones said it was regrettable that the same conditions had returned so soon.

‘The potential for hot-spot breakouts tomorrow is incredible across the whole fire zone,’ he said.

The catastrophic conditions will stretch across the Adelaide Hills, through the mid-north and across to Yorke Peninsula.

Other areas of the state will have either extreme or severe warnings in place.

Tasmanians have also been urged to remain alert to fire risks as the state faces 40C temperatures in southern and eastern areas.

Hobart is forecast to reach 40C and Launceston is expecting a maximum temperature of 34C on Monday, with thunderstorms and wind gusts of 80 to 90km/h also forecast.

The forecast combination of heat, thunderstorms and wind gusts have triggered extreme and severe fire dangers warnings across the state.

The Country Fire Service is on high alert as catastrophic bushfire conditions return to South Australia on Monday, with strong winds risking bushfire breakouts. Pictured: Smoke from the Adelaide Hills fire on December 24

The Country Fire Service is on high alert as catastrophic bushfire conditions return to South Australia on Monday, with strong winds risking bushfire breakouts. Pictured: Smoke from the Adelaide Hills fire on December 24

‘A total fire ban has been declared across the state and is set to continue until Tuesday morning,’ Emergency Management Minister Mark Shelton said.

‘People are being urged to remain vigilant. It is vital that people know what to do if a fire threatens their home or property.’

Tasmanians were also encouraged to have a plan to keep in touch with older or sick relatives, friends and neighbours.

Tasmania Fire Services recommended people living in bushland areas to relocate to urban areas for Monday, and campers to reconsider their plans.

‘As far as the fire danger goes, tomorrow has the potential to be a very bad day across large parts of the state,’ TFS chief officer Chris Arnol said.

‘Although Tasmania’s fire agencies are well prepared, people can’t expect to see a fire truck in every driveway and an aircraft above every house.’

THE WEATHER IN YOUR CITY 

SYDNEY  

MONDAY: Min 21. Max 31. Mostly sunny.

TUESDAY: Min 23. Max 35. Possible storm. Late cool change.  

WEDNESDAY: Min 20. Max 25. Cloudy and overcast.

BRISBANE  

MONDAY: Min 21. Max 30. Partly cloudy.

TUESDAY: Min 21. Max 30. cloudy.

WEDNESDAY: Min 22. Max 32. Sunny. 

ADELAIDE  

MONDAY: Min 27. Max 40. Windy. Possible storm.

TUESDAY: Min 16. Max 26. Cloud clearing.

WEDNESDAY: Min 13. Max 29. Mostly Sunny.

CANBERRA  

MONDAY: Min 19. Max 39. Hot. Partly cloudy.

TUESDAY: Min 21. Max 38. Possible storm. Late smoke.

WEDNESDAY: Min 13. Max 35. Partly cloudy.

Source: Bureau of Meteorology 

 MELBOURNE  

MONDAY: Min 20. Max 41. Hot. Late cool change. 

TUESDAY: Min 17. Max 22. Shower or two.

WEDNESDAY: Min 14. Max 23. Mostly sunny. 

PERTH  

MONDAY: Min 17. Max 27. Cloud clearing.

TUESDAY: Min 15. Max 32. Sunny.

WEDNESDAY: Min 18. Max 36. Sunny.

HOBART   

MONDAY: Min 14. Max 40. Very hot. Shower or two.

TUESDAY: Min 15. Max 22. Possible shower.

WEDNESDAY: Min 12. Max 23. Partly cloudy. 

DARWIN  

MONDAY: Min 26. Max 34. Shower or two. Possible storm.

TUESDAY: Min 27. Max 35. Showers. Possible afternoon storm.

WEDNESDAY: Min 27. Max 35. Showers. Possible storm.

 

 

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