A bushfire in Victoria's devastated east is also burning at the highest warning level while another blaze has been downgraded, as power is restored across the state.
The Orroral Valley fire expanded considerably today after being downgraded to Watch and Act overnight, with lives and homes under threat in the southern Tuggeranong suburbs.ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who announced a state of emergency on Friday, said the fire had now spread across 335,000 square kilometres of the state, with the blaze charring a further two kilometres every hour.The Clear Range Fire burns near Bredbo North.
"People in the Tharwa and southern suburbs of Banks, Gorton and surrounding areas, you need to monitor conditions closely today and be ready to act should we issue a warning." "Frustrated" firefighters have struggled to gain access to much of the fire front due to rugged terrain, which means a significant portion of the attack on the fire is being made by air.
The skies have dramatically changed within only a few short hours as a spot fire takes hold in Breadbo. An out-of-control fire burning north towards Bendoc, near the Victoria-NSW border, has been downgraded to a watch and act warning. "It is incredibly hot out there. People need power for air-conditioning and fans so … turn your pool pump off. You don't need to do the washing or put the dishwasher on today, don't do it.