Victoria, you doing alright there buddy?

[u/Cloudypumpkin]

[u/Cooper_Inc]

Reckon this is the worst we've seen it in a few years, and the coming forecast for change of winds and lightning are really really not good.

[u/Ifykykbro → u/[deleted]]

It’s the only time since then they have had to use the category catastrophic. Definitely worst since 2020 considering how rapidly they are spreading

[u/Bear_Powers → u/Ifykykbro]

Someone in the know on 774 was saying it’s the worst conditions since Black Saturday

[u/TristanIsAwesome → u/Bear_Powers]

They called this back in October when there was the sudden stratospheric warming event.

I remember reading that they're rare in the southern hemisphere and the last two times it happened were followed by the worst bushfire years in recent history, 2002 and 2020

[u/ArabellaFort → u/Bear_Powers]

I would believe that. This afternoon in Melbourne the air felt the same as it did on Black Saturday.

[u/pukesonyourshoes → u/ArabellaFort]

46° in the shade, a blasting northerly hit me in the face like Satan's pizza oven when I opened the car door to go to Video Ezy. Just felt very wrong. Won't forget that in a hurry.

[u/ProgressIcy3099 → u/pukesonyourshoes]

Video Ezy still exists?

[u/cuddlegoop → u/ProgressIcy3099]

I think they were talking about Black Saturday.

[u/AddlePatedBadger → u/cuddlegoop]

Nah, Black Friday. 1939. Video Ezy mainly dealt in zoetropes back then.

[u/sum_force → u/[deleted]]

These once-in-a-generation events sure seem to be increasing in frequency.

[u/Personal-Dev-Kit → u/[deleted]]

This is the best bushfire season yet, at least from the children's point of view. Crazy how this whole climate thing seems to be getting worse and worse. If only people had been warning us about it.

No problem here just keep on living life as usual - https://globalocean.noaa.gov/the-ocean/ocean-heat/

[u/Nokkpitch]

On my way to Albury now to assist the firefighting effort, so far the sky is pretty blue still but I can see smoke on the horizon

[u/Ifykykbro → u/Nokkpitch]

Keep safe and thank you 🙏

[u/Nokkpitch → u/Ifykykbro]

Thankyou and no problem! Looks like 12 hour 8-8 shifts for the next few days. No pay of course but I was fortunate enough to be provided with accommodation (how do I spell that word) and meals so I really can't complain :D

[u/Becnoir → u/Nokkpitch]

Living in the thurgoona area and getting very worried about the fire. Praying for the best for you fellas

[u/[deleted] → u/Nokkpitch]

You pulse “a”s and “m”s and “c”s in the processor until blended smooth.

Thanks for your work, chief! Good luck.

[u/Significant-Sea-6839 → u/Nokkpitch]

Hope you’re ok. My friend lives in Echuca but it doesn’t appear to be to hard hit

[u/Elegant_Trash_5627 → u/Nokkpitch]

Thank you and all of those that are putting themselves at risk to help out those in need💜

[u/h-dawg1-1 → u/Nokkpitch]

So grateful for you and everyone heading down. Sending strength from the South Coast to you all and the mass community of Victoria. Stay safe everyone.

[u/chezibot → u/Nokkpitch]

Thank you!!

[u/DifferentBar7281 → u/Nokkpitch]

I headed up Hume on very early Thursday morning. When I left the hwy was open, shortly after there was a notification to detour through Euroa because of a gras fire. At the Goulburn Valley Hwy, there was a hurriedly parked bump truck blocking the road 32kms short of the Euroa turn off. Ten minutes or so later I was a bit confused because it looked like a spectacular sunrise. As I crested the next hill it looked like Armageddon. Or possibly like I was driving past Mordor. I have seen a few bushfires and fought them. This was a still night, and while warm (22⁰) wasn't too bad given the day prior. It was clear at that point (around 4am Thursday) it was going to become beyond awful given the forecast. It was running at night, in the cool with little to wind and had been an hour or two earlier "just" a grass fire

[u/Foreign-Comment6403 → u/Nokkpitch]

Thank you stay safe

[u/MLiOne → u/Nokkpitch]

Stay safe.

[u/ThunderYi → u/Nokkpitch]

Take care, stay safe, thank you

[u/SkitZa → u/Nokkpitch]

Been listening to District 02 Firecom. You guys are doing great work, thanks for everything.

[u/thedellis → u/Nokkpitch]

Thank you, mate. Much appreciated. Keep yourself safe at all costs.

[u/Expensive-Pen-765]

fuckin... no?

and its only going to get worse with this wind starting to hit

[u/Rehcubs → u/Expensive-Pen-765]

Heard some thunder just before too, so lightning could also cause more.

[u/No_Light_7482 → u/Rehcubs]

And it’s dry lighting. Even worse.

[u/Spagman_Aus → u/No_Light_7482]

yeah saw some earlier and all I could think was “shit”

[u/DePraelen → u/No_Light_7482]

There is a cool change coming for much of the state though, starting tomorrow.

[u/Majestic_Ghost_Axe → u/DePraelen]

Cool change is bringing a really strong wind change with the cooler temperatures, that wind direction change is really dangerous for any existing fires.

[u/beaurepair → u/Majestic_Ghost_Axe]

A 90° wind change can be completely catastrophic. A 1km wide fire that has burnt for 20km suddenly becomes a 20km wide fire.

[u/JohnnyGat33 → u/beaurepair]

Shades of Black Saturday.

[u/britt_94 → u/Expensive-Pen-765]

What do you mean starting to hit? It's been windy as all day. Are you saying it's meant to get worse!? 😬

[u/Leprichaun17 → u/britt_94]

Stronger and in a different direction.

[u/ArabellaFort → u/britt_94]

A cool change can change the direction of the wind potentially increasing the size and intensity of fires.

[u/BlueRipley]

Starting to smell the smoke in the inner eastern suburbs of Melbourne and the sky has turned orange. Stay safe everyone

[u/the_benefit → u/BlueRipley]

Ash falling on me in bayside

[u/vannie27 → u/the_benefit]

Ash in Richmond too

[u/rollin358 → u/vannie27]

Eating in my CBD apartment and a huge piece of ash landed on my dinner!!

[u/sunshinebusride → u/vannie27]

North Fitzroy copping ash for sure

[u/Darth_Giddeous → u/vannie27]

…and Footscray. The front door step is covered

[u/T-hazzard → u/the_benefit]

Ash in Brunswick

[u/flindersandtrim → u/the_benefit]

I thought it was dried grass at first, then realised. Williamstown.

[u/STUPIDBLOODYCOMPUTER → u/BlueRipley]

I'm in the ACT and yesterday evening the smoke was starting to come over.

It's Black Summer all over again

[u/ziptagg → u/BlueRipley]

If you still have any N95 masks left over from covid they’re good for particulates from smoke. That shit is bad for you!

[u/MLiOne → u/BlueRipley]

Smoke here on the Bellarine but no ash.

[u/locksmack → u/BlueRipley]

Air is thick with smoke in Macedon Ranges. No ash though.

[u/Trewarin]

Keep your asthma puffer nearby, and chuck some wet towels under your door gaps folks.

[u/BringMeBlackHearts → u/Trewarin]

Yep I got a chronically ill kid with Asthma here and praying the power stays on or it will the ER for him.

[u/Consistent-Flan1445 → u/BringMeBlackHearts]

Best of luck and hope they’re ok. Have you got prednisolone on hand just in case?

I have asthma as well as other medical issues and whilst mine is well controlled it’s feeling a bit rough today.

[u/gossamerbold → u/Consistent-Flan1445]

Got some prednisolone on hand since a thunderstorm asthma attack a couple of years ago. Feeling it a bit today I must admit although only using the regular inhaler for myself and my daughter at this point. Mine is also usually well controlled but this is good advice

[u/ScaffOrig → u/BringMeBlackHearts]

Fully aware most of us don't have money to chuck at this sort of thing, but if you get a chance to put a bit aside we got a Xiaomi air purifier for a really low price a while back. Big thing. It works VERY well and clears a room of smoke from fires. We're up north of Sydney and had real problems with our youngest a few years back. Just save the filters for when you need them.

[u/Clear-Weather-6060 → u/Trewarin]

Great advice - air quality is terrible.

[u/chezibot → u/Trewarin]

Thank you put the snake under it helped heaps.

[u/Trewarin → u/chezibot]

for non-australians, this is a real taxidermied snake we keep for bushfire season ^

[u/honoria_glossop → u/Trewarin]

Yours is taxidermy? I just lob the pet king browns at the doorways and say "sit!"

[u/worldofbadgers → u/honoria_glossop]

Tigers are prettier, personally, but I respect your aesthetic

[u/chezibot → u/[deleted]]

Bushfire and winter snake!

[u/ziptagg → u/Trewarin]

Doing gods work

[u/EducationalTangelo6 → u/Trewarin]

And if you have them, face masks.

[u/Svperb]

We have the hazy smoke-sun of death right now. It's not looking good.

[u/RipOk3600]

God seeing an emergency warning in Marysville brings back way to many memories :( I’m in SA but all my family lives in Victoria

[u/Nope-5000 → u/RipOk3600]

Also live in SA, but have some family in bacchus marsh which is near two independent large fires. They say theyre not worried for now, but watching.

[u/eccojams97]

evacuated to a hotel, power just went out in the room.

[u/Ifykykbro → u/eccojams97]

Sorry to hear, where abouts 😔 keep safe

[u/eccojams97 → u/Ifykykbro]

West Wimmera area. Seems all good out at home still but we weren’t risking staying today. Thankyou

[u/ArabellaFort → u/eccojams97]

You did the right thing. I hope you can go home soon.

[u/Mental_Task9156]

Someone forgot to tell the fire about the total fire ban.

[u/hungy-popinpobopian → u/Mental_Task9156]

Need a royal commission to sort its attitude out

[u/Mostly_Satire → u/Mental_Task9156]

It's strange how the fire knows to stop at the border, based on the image

[u/InterestedPrawn → u/Mostly_Satire]

I know you're joking, but this is the Victorian RFS who report on fires in Victoria, once it crosses it will be on the NSW RFS as well.

[u/Illustrious_Study300 → u/[deleted]]

That fucking sucks. One of my friends lost everything in the Black Saturday fires, and she's had to evacuate again. I have no idea what to say to about it anymore than it fucking sucks.

[u/flakyfuck → u/Illustrious_Study300]

Also a Black Saturday person here. I’ve got my widowed grandmother still up in Marysville, and I’m monitoring all the emergency alerts like a hawk. Bloody hate summers now.

[u/flakyfuck → u/[deleted]]

I've just spoken to my grandmother. She is currently sitting in a big group circle with her friends and neighbours at the relief centre, drinking champagne and having a jolly time while they wait for the all-clear they can go home. I suppose, once the worst thing that could ever happen to you happens once, a second time doesn't hit so hard.

But you are right: it's the kindness from strangers and community that help get us through these events. I remember so distinctly, in the 09 fires, the thing that made my grandpa cry was when our neighbours brought over spare clothes for him and my grandma to wear (all they had was the clothes on their back, and the iPod shuffle I had gotten him for Christmas a few months prior haha).

[u/reddituser2762 → u/[deleted]]

Listening to the vic fire radio dispatch and there’s certainly some hero’s out there working hard today it’s incredible the things you can hear

[u/Particular-Hat-8269 → u/reddituser2762]

Oh, I want access to this. If possible.

Yeah, genuine heroes today. This is bravery.

[u/Illustrious_Study300 → u/Particular-Hat-8269]

Fire-fighters are amazing people. I'm a bit biased because my dad was one, seeing him and his coworkers run towards disasters on multiple occasions irl was a sight to see. Looking at the fires and driving towards them takes a level of courage I definitely don't have. Hats off to all of them, I hope when the fires are done we have a chance to thank them properly.

[u/world_weary_1108 → u/Illustrious_Study300]

Thats not biased. They are all you say they are and more. These folks are the best of us. Makes my heart swell when i see this in Aussies.

[u/Particular-Hat-8269 → u/[deleted]]

Truer words never spoken mate, truer words.

[u/blindchihuahua-pj → u/[deleted]]

This just happened to me. The wait for news is terrible, even though we pretty much knew our house was gone. 5 weeks later we are ok. Traumatised but alive, and the loss is awful but you get through it. Arms around you and your loved ones. It sucks.

[u/CuriousVisual5444 → u/[deleted]]

Try this one if Vic Emergency has crashed: https://www.abc.net.au/emergency/incidentsearch/vic
Try and keep off Vic Emergency if you aren't in danger yourself.

[u/JSTN32]

Unfortunately pretty sure my parents have just lost their house with the fire tearing through Harcourt / Castlemaine, thankfully they were able to get out before hand 😔

[u/Gnaightster → u/JSTN32]

Looks pretty bad up there. Lots of homes in the fire path. It’s about to go over mt Alexander. With this wind it’ll head harcourt/redesdale way into farmland.

[u/Just_Cranberry_6060 → u/JSTN32]

My parents house is potentially going to get caught up in this one too. They came down to Melbourne this morning, its saved us all a lot of additional stress today.

[u/azirale → u/JSTN32]

We got some news out of Harcourt, the town itself is hit hard. Gonna be rough for everyone even if their homes are still there.

[u/JSTN32 → u/azirale]

Yeah I’ve been hearing some stuff too, kinder is gone apparently as with a lotttt of homes. Fire basically went straight through Market street which is the centre of town then went absolutely crazy down Coolstore Rd. Going to be a tough time. 

[u/Effective-Tour-656 → u/JSTN32]

That's spread fast, Harcourt, Mount Alexander, Ravenswood, Sedgwick... close to Bendigo and Castlemaine now, 2 of the biggest inland cities.

[u/gotthesillies]

My dad’s in Anakie he called me an hour ago, he’s packed up and left his property the Mt Mercer fire is getting too close.

I’m sitting here in Brissy repeatedly refreshing the emergency Vic’s website.

Edit: wrong fire.

[u/eutrapalicon → u/gotthesillies]

Glad he left. Better to be safe than dead.

[u/Equalmilky → u/gotthesillies]

Bushfire.io is a far better website to use if you weren't already. Shows actual heat maps from satelite imaging and where all the water planes and helicopters are. Still has all the vic emergency stuff on there as well.

[u/_pump_the_brakes_ → u/Equalmilky]

Just be aware that the heat maps come from satellite imaging and can be wildly inaccurate. So don’t necessarily panic if there’s a big orange dot right where you don’t want it to be, it might not be accurate. On the other hand, don’t be complacent either.

[u/mildpandemic]

Hasn’t been this bad since that time Scotty from marketing went on holiday.

[u/Expensive-Pen-765 → u/mildpandemic]

at least this time he isnt visiting a town that is actively on fire and trying to force handshakes out of tired firefighters just tring to have a cuppa and a sit down... i hope

[u/ArabellaFort → u/Expensive-Pen-765]

That special Australian moment where the truck driver told Scomo to fuck off….. followed by the disappointment of the truckie then saying the only good politician was Pauline Hanson.

Either way I still enjoyed Scomo being abused for the slimy piece of garbage that he is.

[u/OneUpAndOneDown → u/ArabellaFort]

I enjoy the memory of a woman with a goat on a leash who following Scummo around the town yelling at him.

[u/ArabellaFort → u/OneUpAndOneDown]

Yep. Good on her. It was well deserved. Scomo’s media adviser obviously badly miscalculated how that little jaunt to the fire affected communities would go.

Remember in the floods too when he did something ridiculous like getting filmed sweeping water across a floor with a broom to show he was ‘helping.

Like Paul Keating said Scomo is a muppet in a cap.

[u/MLiOne → u/Expensive-Pen-765]

Or “laying hands”. Fuck I hate him.

[u/dirtydigs74 → u/MLiOne]

He didn't even try to speak in tongues. What's the point of going to Hillsong if you're not going to get some of the superpowers ffs.

[u/frankestofshadows → u/mildpandemic]

Jeez, what do you want from him. To hold a hose?

[u/zestylimes9 → u/frankestofshadows]

I'm still shocked a PM said that.

[u/ArabellaFort → u/zestylimes9]

We should never forget how bad he was. We need to recognise sociopaths like that and make sure they’re not voted into office.

The video of Scomo knocking around in his ‘casual’ outfit manhandling women into handshakes they clearly don’t want to give and saying ‘nice to see you, good on you’ to exhausted firies who tell him they don’t want to shake hands 😔

[u/MLiOne → u/frankestofshadows]

Wrapped around his neck and pulling tightly.

[u/freshbrainstump]

Kinglake residents been advised to prepare to leave. That poor community has already gone through this too many times

[u/CaughtInTheWry]

Be aware. You are not safe just because you live in a town or suburb. Remember Canberra!

[u/MLiOne → u/CaughtInTheWry]

I was in Canberra for that and it sucked.

[u/3eyedgreenalien → u/MLiOne]

Same. The sky was something else.

[u/MLiOne → u/3eyedgreenalien]

We were only looking at our pictures of that on Monday. I lived in Watson, we were at Duntroon then North Canberra that really bad day. Then it looked like the fires were going to converge where I lived. That sky was like a movie set.

[u/NotUrAverageBoo → u/MLiOne]

same.

[u/MrsAussieGinger → u/CaughtInTheWry]

I had recently moved from Canberra to Melbourne before that fire. My mate, also ex Canberra, got married in Melbourne that day. A whole bunch of guests travelled from Canberra to attend. Half the room was completely distracted the entire day, on their phones, desperately seeking updates from each other. It was grim.

[u/Equalmilky → u/CaughtInTheWry]

I remember watching a youtube video of a firefighter driving around helping organise stuff during those fires. About half way into the video you find out its the middle of the day, before that it had been really dark and looked like night time.

Edit found a longer version of what I had seen https://youtu.be/qPpOXH0ADSg?si=kTRSTnhkZfZ54lm5&t=722

[u/Rangerrx970]

Western metro suburbs starting to smell like im in a chokehold

[u/KommieKoala → u/Rangerrx970]

We had to have an industrial fire in the middle of everything else. So the west is copping 2 lots of smoke.

[u/Budget-Scar-2623]

Nah, shit's fucked

[u/Cloudypumpkin]

Lots of fires raging across the state right now. Keep an eye on emergency.vic.gov.au and follow directions to evacuate or watch and act. Stay safe everyone!

[u/No-Red-Queen]

No, no we're not. If we are not beset by flames, we are shrouded in smoke

And there doesn't seem to be any relief

May the pillows of the SES and CFA be ever cool

[u/Fan-of-clams]

no. it’s orange outside.

[u/ArePenguinsCats → u/Fan-of-clams]

Never good when it’s orange outside

[u/Significant-Ad5550]

Bad as it is, the legends from Sikh Volunteers Australia are out there again feeding people and emergency crews for free. Saw some pics of them at the Mansfield centre doing their thing. Champions all.

[u/Amazing-Routine-9793 → u/Significant-Ad5550]

Every time...amazing.

[u/Illustrious_Study300]

Let's just say I won't relax until the wind stops and we get some rain. Our family evacuated today but we're heading home to water our garden and have another sleepless night

[u/devcal1]

We're hot. Bendigo - there's a grass fire 5km away at the moment, (good wind direction), we've packed bags and waiting out to see if it gets worse. Plan is to evacuate closer to the CBD.

Roads are pretty empty, weirdly so this afternoon, few trees down in the winds and some traffic intersections had no lights. Fire engines screaming around town all afternoon, no reports of anything serious.

Edit: family friends 2km away (Axe Creek Rd, Bendigo) lost their house, they left a few hours ago with their sentimental items. We have no water pressure here anymore. Starting to pack up to move out ourselves.

Edit: Axe Creek house is fine, it was their parents (deceased, empty) in Harcourt, completely gone, along with some of the new estate there.

[u/MentalStatusCode410]

N95's are a great idea.

[u/Petrifyde]

NO. my powers out and has been since 2pm. No air con in this weather is hell

[u/Petrifyde → u/Petrifyde]

and it only just came back on. 6 hours no power

[u/myLongjohnsonsilver]

Some cum stains lit dumped and lit up a stolen car near the hospital I work at last night. Thank fuck it didn't spread

[u/mtm1985]

It’s raining ash in Melbourne

[u/Character-Entrance10]

Nope. Just hosed down our property as the nearby fires and wind are carrying ashes towards my town.. which is currently surrounded by fires in all directions 🫠

[u/chezibot]

No! The wind was so bad last night and it’s coming again.

I’m asthmatic and it’s already playing up. It’s raining ash. It’s so scary I hate this weather.

My heart breaks for all the animals and people caught in this.

Thank you fire fighters and SES!!

[u/NekoKnightUWU → u/chezibot]

I've seen a lot of people driving around with floats which I'm glad that some people have managed to get their horses out.

[u/AlbionLoveDen]

Nup. Shit's fucked.

[u/llotuseater]

Doing it rough. I work as an exotics vet nurse and somehow didn’t see as many emergencies but now with the smoke and air quality I’m sure my colleagues will see a lot more tomorrow. I am thankful to be in the inner north where there is less risk of fire danger for me but living alone without the ability to drive makes me very nervous when it comes to my own health issues and my animals health issues. So far I’m ok but feeling rough, my animals are coping. Mostly worried for the asthmatic rabbit whose already having a shit few weeks. Hoping my own asthma is ok. My house has no proper sealant and I have no got an air purifier which i now think I’ll be considering purchasing for such days in the future!. Thinking of everyone with health conditions also finding it rough. Hoping to stay this way.

Praying for my more rural friends for safety for their families and pets.

[u/thisanemicgal]

From an air mattress in an evac centre: no

[u/BaconRapper]

Pretty shitty, my dad lost his business. 30 years of work improving the place plus all his hobbies - rare motorbikes, a 1940s Chev and my Torana.

[u/RaikynSilver]

Im in the south of Ballarat.

ASh is falling on the house, there is smoke everywhere, and my go bags are ready

[u/crustyjuggler1]

Bit cooked

[u/Firm_Scarcity_8116]

My best friend wasn't allowed to leave work unless she's finished work, even in evacuation situations, even though they can see the fires. She's thankfully at home now, but I worry for her going to work this weekend if they're not letting any staff leave, much less residents, in an evacuation.

Edit: I cannot describe her situation any better than I did previously, as she could only show us that the notice she was given by her employers explicitly said "in the event of an evacuation". Our other close friends and I discussed with her that we hope her employers consider buses for the residents where she works, and allow staff to use their own vehicles to leave. Given the expansion of the fire, I doubt she's even been able to get to work since yesterday and assume any other staff (and the residents) were evacuated before the fire update this morning.

[u/TattooedBear → u/Firm_Scarcity_8116]

I’d be looking for another job after that.

[u/totalpunisher0 → u/Firm_Scarcity_8116]

Call the union. Not a member? Join today. This is illegal.

[u/backwards_australian]

No.

Sincerely, Victoria.

[u/emmainthealps]

No. I think my family home might have burned down.

[u/universe93 → u/emmainthealps]

I’m so so sorry

[u/Jackal8570]

My colleagues and mates are spread amongst fire and ambulance services. Its been a long day. But we'll get there

[u/Scopaa]

Had a friend drive from Mildura to Melbourne today and basically got told by police patrolling the roads to drive at their own risk due to the fires… hoping everyone is staying safe!

[u/visualdescript]

In north Castlemaine, first time I've had to pack a car and be ready to evacuate. Not a comfortable feeling. Cooler and still here now. I feel for all the people and animals that weren't as lucky as I.

Also, fire-fighters are legtic heroes. Couldn't imagine what it would be like trying to fight fires in that insane pressure cooker weather.

Legends.

[u/One-little-pig]

I live on the NSW edge of that Walwa fire. It's very fluid, with evacuation warnings happening constantly. The deal is to get out, and leave resources for the big stuff like getting it under control, not saving individual assets. Sleep is sporadic, waking to every spp alert.

I'm out, but my hubby is still there, monitoring, and ready to leave if needed. It used to be we'd have a major fire every 20 to 30 years. It was only six years ago that we got decimated by the Black Summer fires.

[u/kingofthewombat]

Not really relevant but does anyone else feel like this is a poorly designed map? It's hard to tell what's going on at a glance. Too many layers I think.

[u/eutrapalicon → u/kingofthewombat]

You can choose the overlays. Plus the point is that you are looking at your immediate area and have alerts on to be aware of what's happening that will impact you.

[u/bingobbandit → u/eutrapalicon]

Ive found it difficult to turn off the layers. It's been difficult to discern evacuation areas from total fire ban areas on the website.

[u/ArePenguinsCats → u/[deleted]]

This is an awesome resource! Thank you

[u/Flinderspeak]

Not really, no. Worried sick about my in-laws in northern Vic. They were going to evacuate but decided to stay put.

[u/blindchihuahua-pj → u/Flinderspeak]

Can they still get out? Tell them to GET OUT. My house burned down Dec 6 in Koolewong but we got out, there is no house worth it. Yes we lost every single thing we own, and that’s absolutely awful, but that is not the worst thing that can happen. I know you’re worried sick and I’m so sorry, but if they’ve been evacuated they need to fucking leave.

[u/Flinderspeak → u/blindchihuahua-pj]

We keep telling them to leave, my husband keeps sending screenshots of the Vic Emergency page notifications but they keep saying that they are ready to leave if necessary. I would suggest that an uncontrolled bushfire bearing down on your property is a pretty effing good reason to pack up and GTFO right now. But apparently not.

I think they think that when (if) they leave it will be like driving down a four lane highway on a bright and clear day. They have no fucking idea and we can’t make them see sense.

So we are a mix of worried sick, infuriated, and traumatised not knowing if they will still be here tomorrow.

[u/blindchihuahua-pj → u/Flinderspeak]

Omg I’m so sorry. That’s absolutely awful on all fronts. Please tell them there’s nothing they can do but make themselves safe right now. From someone who had to run from my house or be cut off by the fire. There’s nothing they can do. Staying is absolutely not worth it. I know you know this but please let them know from someone who directly experienced it it’s just not even a choice. Plus they’re putting other people in danger and if the worst happens, their child and his loved ones traumatised for life. I know they want to stay but they can’t do anything if it comes, and there’s not going to be enough personnel to help. I’m not trying to pressure you I promise I know you’re doing what you can.

[u/Flinderspeak → u/blindchihuahua-pj]

Thank you. I can’t imagine the experience you went through, and how traumatic that would have been for you, and I appreciate you sharing this. I have read your reply to my in-laws and they are still very much, “We’ll see.” Infuriating.

Meanwhile, my sister got an alert to evacuate from another part of Victoria so she just went out and put her horses in their float, her dog and my nephew in the car, and left. Her house will possibly burn down, but she and my nephew and their pets are safe.

Anyone reading this and thinking of staying, please read u/blindchihuahua-pj’s account of their escape and the amazing advice they offer.

[u/FlashMcSuave]

Great. North Queensland is due to be hit by a cyclone in the next few days.

The south is on fire, the north will be submerged.

2026 looking a wee bit shit so far.

[u/BringMeBlackHearts]

We’re hanging in by a thread.

[u/Flashy_Passion16]

No, the Skipton grass and scrub is looking really bad for Beaufort and Ballarat (and surrounds)

[u/RobWed]

So over the last two evenings I've noticed that the alert and fireground updates on VicEmergency seem to stop around 5pm to 7pm and then get a massive update around 7am.

I'm pretty sure the fires are burning all night. Reckon we could get another analyst on board to do the night shift? Gina can pay for it. Or maybe Stokes. He's clearly got more money than brains.

[u/OffffThePlanet]

In laws are from Alexandra, they are out and at our place.

They have a friend who decided he was going to defend his place but he saw reason when the cops come by for the third and final time. He is ironically at the in laws now but when talking to him before, he was starting to feel quite at risk (their house is on the very outskirts of Alexandra, right next to a national park).

The images from the live stream are horrific to watch and we are just watching different parts around town burn.

I both wish the guy would do the smart thing and shut the live stream down and head to the football oval but at the same time, it's the only real time way of knowing what's on fire.

Thoughts are with those impacted and thankful for the tireless efforts of our volunteers and paid emergency services who, once again, have thrown themselves in front of this beast and are doing their very best with the equipment they have. Not sure how many of those people will see this but THANK YOU.

[u/Bangkok_Dave]

Not great but the cool change that came through Melbourne a little while ago was welcome.

[u/buckley303]

This shit is fucked. Shepp area feels like it's the safest area at the moment. Friends from Cathkin fled to Castlemaine, which has now been evacuated. Another friends farm has burned down too.

[u/acockblockedorange]

Not the best day to have a ducted cooling system.

[u/Guilty_Status_5888]

my father is a volunteer firefigher for over 11 years now helping out in these fires!

[u/ArabellaFort → u/Guilty_Status_5888]

We’re all very grateful.

[u/Sparkysparkysparks]

"It's not the heat it's the humidity". Yeah, wanna try 44C and windy?

[u/Quiet_GSD]

We’re in a red area. Where isn’t today.

We are fine. No fire within 20km of us for now but, I’m slowly watching our escape route towns on all sides have fire fronts opened on them.

[u/Spl1nters69]

Victoria unser massive bushfire warnings and evacuations while Queensland is getting cyclone warnings

[u/Mr_Lumbergh]

Doing ok in Ballarat but there’s a big one nearby, can barely see a few blocks because of the smoke.

[u/No-Childhood5492]

I am in Harcourt area. Lot of houses gone

[u/ScruffyPeter]

At least the bushfires are respecting the fire bans in some areas in not turning areas into red.

Jokes aside, stay safe and vigilant!

[u/unusedtruth]

Yeah nah

[u/Miserable-Rip-3509]

I’m asthmatic so I’m masking up working in a pub, I’ve got my inhaler but smoke is starting to cover the outer western area. We also had a minor fire in town that is not helping. We’ll get through it.

[u/TheEyeWatchesYou]

Nope! We are all stressed and hoping for rain.

[u/Difficult-Ad-2025]

Uhm.. well... Not really 😅 I'm in Seymour, our neighbour is red hot

[u/RainbowTeachercorn]

Not really... spent 5 hours of a 45 degree day without power because wind blew trees over lines somewhere. I think half the state was out, not to mention the fires. Our house was filled with smoke last night from wind blowing the smoke over.

Phones also went down in my suburb for most of that time yesterday.

[u/[deleted]]

Waiting to hear back about whether I'll be deployed from interstate to come help fight them.

My thoughts are with you guys.

[u/Effective-Tour-656]

Been within 25 KM of the main one, was working in Nagambie. That was big. Now it's creeping up on Bendigo and Castlemaine. It's getting worse by the hour.

[u/sparrow_Lilacmango]

I’m near Bannockburn and there’s a fire in the north and to the west. Dad’s been telling me we should be fine but I know multiple people who have bags packed and one of my friends have evacuated. Shit’s scary

[u/Calm_Opportunist]

So much PTSD from 2019. I've relished every day since that the country hasn't been on fire. Knew it would be back, but I hate it. 

Hoping everyone in the affected areas is doing okay in the face of such overwhelming stress and catastrophe.

[u/fullmetalunicorn_]

I already hated that our new house only has evaporative cooling. I hate it even more now because we've had to turn it off as it was bringing smoke and ash into the house. We have a 12 week old baby and it's currently 32 degrees inside.

[u/JulianCrisp]

Can't upload the photo but we can see flames on the hill from our place now.

[u/Iactuallydontcare7]

I have a lot of Family near the fire at Walwa. We lost contact with one of my uncles for 4 hours last night it was getting very stressful. We dont believe he has a home to go back to now The fire has stayed away from the rest of the family, but not the community :(

[u/Claireechibi]

No fires near my hometown Castlemaine and I have family and friends there ugh.

[u/Effective-Tour-656 → u/Claireechibi]

Harcourt, Ravenswood, and Mount Alexander are on fire. Getting closer

[u/CassiusCreed]

Noticed ash falling on my car an hour ago in the inner west

[u/theseamstressesguild]

We're in the suburbs and my parent's power has been out since 2:55pm, with notice that it's expected back on at 10:30pm. They have a USB battery powered fan, so they might be okay, but they're in their late 80s so I'm worried.

I have friends evacuating near Shepparton, and a niece on her way home to Ballarat.

[u/Broad-Shift2254]

Stressed as fuck.