Residents across Victoria are facing a day of catastrophic fire danger, with communities like Seymour becoming a refuge for those fleeing advancing blazes. The state is enduring its worst heatwave since the devastating 2019-20 Black Summer bushfire season, casting a long shadow over current preparations.
Fleeing with What's Precious
For 82-year-old Jan Sporry and her husband, the decision to leave their home of nearly four decades in Ruffy was agonising. Arriving at the Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre disaster relief centre on Thursday with their ten-year-old kelpie, Ruby, they faced the grim possibility they might never see their property again.
"We wanted to pack up what was precious," Sporry said, explaining they gathered photos, documents, and framed needlework. "What do you take when you have a house full of stuff you want to keep? We just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope."
A Community on High Alert
The relief centre hosted a crucial community meeting on Thursday night, where locals gathered information from emergency personnel like Seymour fire brigade captain Kylie Comte. The mood was one of grim preparedness. Several evacuees with caravans settled in for the night, while others, like local resident Maree, had evacuation packs ready for her two sons, who live with disabilities.
"I was here for the Black Summer fires, so that's why I've come to the meeting," Maree stated. "I know what happened then, so I would rather be 100% sure what's going on now. Everyone is ready to go if we need to go."
Dire Warnings and Scorching Conditions
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) warned that fires burning at Longwood threatened to spread further, with some residents already advised it was too late to leave. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan issued a stark warning for Friday's conditions, describing them as "very, very dire."
He forecast temperatures in the mid to upper 40s Celsius in northern Victoria, coupled with potential wind gusts of up to 100km/h. "Fires have the potential to spread rapidly," Heffernan stressed. "Do not wait for a warning." A total fire ban is in place across the entire state.
The anxiety was palpable on the ground. State MP for Eildon, Cindy McLeish, whose electorate includes areas under watch and act warnings, confirmed the community's fear. "People are very anxious and fearful," she said, acknowledging some may stay to defend properties but noting most were vigilant and prepared to leave.
Shelves Emptied and Prayers for Rain
In Seymour's supermarket, the tangible signs of preparation were clear. Shelves were stripped of bottled water and batteries. One resident loaded his trolley with packets of two-minute noodles, ready to hunker down. In the car park, a mother named June and her two children filled their car with litres of water.
Pointing to a sky where white clouds merged with grey smoke from the Longwood fire, June said, "It's scary... Everyone is worried. It is not far from us, so we are just preparing. Anything could happen." She noted the enduring trauma of the past, revealing a friend's evacuation bag from 2019 remained packed and unopened.
As June got into her car on Thursday night, she clasped her hands together and looked skyward. "Now, we just pray for rain," she said. A light shower later fell over Seymour, offering a fleeting moment of relief but doing little to diminish the catastrophic risk facing Victoria.
