Bushfire near Ballarat, VIC

A bushfire near Ballarat, about 100 km west of Melbourne, threatens properties tonight. The fire has burnt nearly 400 ha and is spreading rapidly out of control. Properties in the town of Morrisons are under threat.

Fire weather conditions across the region were extreme today, with maximum temperatures in the low-40s. Conditions are again expected to be poor tomorrow, with very high temperatures and strong northerly winds expected ahead of a cool change later in the day.

Below is the MODIS image from the Aqua satellite, captured this afternoon showing the smoke plume from this fire.