🚨 **Emergency Alert!** More than two thousand residents have been ordered to evacuate from the towns of Raglan and Beaufort in Victoria, Australia, as fierce bushfires continue to blaze out of control.
🔥 The Victoria State Emergency Service has urged everyone in these areas to leave immediately for their safety. Residents are advised to head east towards Ballarat, a regional hub located 95 kilometers west of Melbourne, to escape the spreading flames.
🌐 Currently, around 50 square kilometers are engulfed northwest of Ballarat, with similar fires burning fiercely further west. The situation is critical, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in the northwest regions as of 3 p.m. local time.
👨🚒 In response to the crisis, Premier Jacinta Allan announced that over 1,000 firefighters are on the ground, supported by 24 aircraft and more than 100 vehicles. Additional teams are expected to join the battle against the inferno shortly.
\"Leaving immediately is the safest option for those communities,\" Premier Allan stressed during a news conference. \"If you are located in these areas, please heed this advice, please act now to save your own life.\"
🏠 While no property damage has been reported yet, officials caution that it's too early for a full assessment. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued extreme fire danger warnings across several districts due to hot, dry winds and the threat of thunderstorms.
🕛 Fire activity west of Ballarat is expected to intensify until around midnight, when winds are anticipated to slow, according to Jason Heffernan, chief officer of the Country Fire Authority.
Stay safe and stay informed with the latest updates as Victoria faces this challenging fire season. 🙏🔥
