(Bloomberg) -- Large bushfires burning in western Victoria are burning out of control, and the authorities are concerned that they may intensify on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported, citing the Country Fire Authority.
The fire was burning over 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) on Sunday morning, and emergency warnings to leave remain in place for the town of Halls Gap and other communities in the Grampians region, the ABC reported. Halls Gap is a town of some 495 residents, according to the latest census, and lies about 250 kilometers (155 miles) west-northwest from Melbourne.
Firefighters had been able to bring some areas under control overnight amid more favorable conditions, the ABC said, citing CFA deputy chief officer Garry Cook. Christmas Day is likely to see temperatures climb above 40 degrees C (104 F), with strong winds, conditions Cook described as “really challenging,” the ABC reported.
Two other fires in Victoria are still burning out of control, one to the northwest of Melbourne and one to the south, the ABC said. The northwestern fire, at Bullengerook some 80 kilometers from the Victorian capital, has a “Watch and Act” warning, while the southern one at The Gurdies 100 kilometers from Melbourne, is one rating lower at “Stay Informed,” according to the CFA website.
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