Ninemsn reported on Sunday 22 Feb 2009:
Residents of Warburton in Victoria are fleeing their town and dozens of communities
remain on high bushfire alert as hot winds continue to fuel dangerous conditions.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) updated alerts on a number of separate fires burning near populated areas around the state — including much of the Yarra Valley and at Enoch Point — urging people to make the decision to stay or go as early as possible.
Enoch Point residents and those in the Yarra Valley including communities near Warburton, East Warburton, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown, Launching Place, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek, Woori Yallock, Yellingbo, Seville, Wandin and McMahons Creek have been urged to get out early or be prepared to fight.
"We're talking about temperatures to the mid-30s with a northwesterly wind and a late chance with southwesterly winds," Department of Sustainability and Environment spokesman Lee Miezis said.
"That means that people must decide to stay or leave as early as possible,
and that means tonight or Monday morning. If you see flames, it's too late to
leave." Four major fires remain out of control in Victoria.