Australia news live: community at Gellibrand warned too late to leave as Otways bushfire grows; manhunt continues in remote NSW

Smoke hangs over Victoria as out-of-control fire at Carlisle river in state’s southwest continues. Follow updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast‘Challenging’ conditions for firefighters in Victoria’s westAs residents in Gellibrand in Victoria’s 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 chief fire officer Chris Hardman said yesterday’s extremely hot day in the state made it challenging for firefighters.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.That’s 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.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’s not a time to turn our gaze away from the challenges ahead. Continue reading...