Australian authorities announced a state of emergency on Tuesday as a wildfire in Victoria’s far southwest has reached critical levels, local media reported.
Buildings in one of Victoria’s national parks have reportedly already been destroyed as the life-threatening wildfire rages through the state.
Fire crews described a blaze in the Little Desert National Park, about 375 kilometers west of Melbourne, as “active and dynamic,” outlet “9News”reported.
An emergency evacuation notice was issued because a second fire in the mountainous area of the Grampians, located roughly 100 kilometers to the South, remained out of control during the night.
Authorities released warning alerts for the residents of multiple areas, including Dimboola, Pimpinio, Wail, Gerang Gerung, Kiata, Kinimakatka, Lawloit, Winiam, Winiam East, Little Desert, and Miram. They were told to seek shelter from the fire overnight.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” authorities said. “The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.”