Authorities warn of worsening conditions in Otways

The Otways and Surf Coast remain under serious bushfire threat today, with CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan warning powerful winds and multiple lightning-sparked fires are raising fresh concerns for communities along the Great Ocean Road.

While cooler temperatures have brought some welcome relief across parts of the state, damaging winds between 60-80km/h are forecast to continue throughout the day, particularly across the Otways and surrounding coastal areas.

Speaking to ABC News this morning from the State Control Centre, Heffernan said thousands of lightning strikes in the past 24 hours had ignited multiple new fires in the Otways.

Four fires continue to burn in the area this morning. Firefighters managed to bring two of them under control overnight, but with strong winds battering the area today, concerns remain for the spread of the other two fires.

At about 11.30am a emergency warning was issued for the Cape Otway region, urging residents to leave immediately, as an out-of-control bushfire travels from Sandy Ridge Track in a south-easterly direction. The Great Ocean Road is expected to be impacted and has closed to the public between Lavers Hill and Apollo Bay.

More fires are expected to ignite today as a result of lightning.

“With the winds that we are expecting to see across the Otways this morning, I’m very concerned for the Surf Coast, and there are a number of warnings in place in that area,” Heffernan said.

“My sense is we’re going to be talking a lot about the Otways throughout the course of the day and communities along the Great Ocean Road.

“I’m making a very strong recommendation to you to think about what you’re doing today. Make sure you put your bushfire survival plan into action and be ready to take the direction of authorities.”

An estimated 300,000 hectares of land was burned across the state in the fires yesterday, and a total of 10 major fire fronts continue to burn. A further 20 fires in local communities are being monitored by emergency services.

There are 19 emergency warnings currently in place and a further 16 Watch and Act advice notifications have been communicated to the community.

Premier Jacinta Allan urged communities across the state to continue following the advice of the emergency services across the day.

“I know how hard it is to leave your home not knowing when and what you will return to, but it has saved lives,” she said.

“I once again request that Victorians over the course of today continue to stay tuned to the Emergency Victoria app, to local radio — get those multiple sources of information to make sure that you are attuned to local conditions.”

For up-to-date information, advice and warnings, head to emergency.vic.gov.au