{"id":15410,"date":"2026-01-24T21:56:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T21:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=15410"},"modified":"2026-01-24T21:56:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T21:56:25","slug":"australia-news-live-community-at-gellibrand-warned-too-late-to-leave-as-otways-bushfire-grows-manhunt-continues-in-remote-nsw-australia-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microvibenews.com\/?p=15410","title":{"rendered":"Australia news live: community at Gellibrand warned too late to leave as Otways bushfire grows; manhunt continues in remote NSW | Australia news"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n

\u2018Challenging\u2019 conditions for firefighters in Victoria\u2019s south-west<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n

As residents in Gellibrand in Victoria\u2019s south-west have been told it is too late to leave with a bushfire at Carlisle River just one kilometre from the town, forest fire management Victoria<\/a> chief fire officer Chris Hardman<\/strong> said yesterday\u2019s extremely hot day in the state made it challenging for firefighters.<\/p>\n

He told ABC\u2019s Weekend Breakfast:<\/p>\n

\n

<\/svg>That fire is right on the edge of Gellibrand and that fire will continue to move today. And the conditions are a little bit milder, so firefighters will do everything they can to protect the community assets in and around Gellibrand.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He said residents should also keep an eye on the Walwa fire in the north-east, as it was likely to move further to the south on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/svg>That\u2019s not necessarily going to threaten communities in the days ahead but that fire could significantly increase in size and continue to challenge firefighters for many weeks to come.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He said in the north of the state, it\u2019s hot and dry and really challenging conditions.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/svg>These fires can continue to grow and challenge us. This is very early in the season, this is the peak of the fire season now. We have had some terrible fires but it\u2019s not a time to turn our gaze away from the challenges ahead.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Around 1,700 firefighters had been deployed in the state on Sunday morning, he said.<\/p>\n