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A massive fire was ignited in Somerton. The cause is unknown. Picture: Nicole Garmston
WHILE firefighters were trying to get bushfires under control across the country, a large blaze broke out at a recycling plant in Melbourne’s north.
The CFA has been at the forefront of the fire but say it could burn for days.
A large pile of rubbish, about 100 metres wide and 10 metres high, caught alight at Somerton early on Friday.
Smoke is billowing from the plant and people need to drive slowly through the area as the haze is decreasing visibility.
People nearby are also advised to keep their doors and windows closed to ensure smoke does not seep into their homes.
The fire brigade remains on scene and the cause is still unknown.
A severe fire danger is still forecast in Mallee and people need to put their bushfire survival plans into action.
A fire is roaring in Somerton in Victoria. Picture: Nicole GarmstonSource:News Corp Australia
In the north of Victoria near the NSW border, a total fire ban has been put into place with fears that temperatures soaring to 30 degrees could cause a blaze.
No fires can be lit in the Mallee district today.
There is a very high fire risk in the Wimmera, Northern Country districts and a high fire risk across the North East and North Central areas.
The CFA was preparing for a busy day on Thursday and 32 waterbombing aircraft were across the state, but there were no major blazes.
The CFA says the bushfire season was off to an early start after a bushfire was sparked by a controlled burn in Lancefield in September.
It destroyed houses and forced hundreds to flee.
There are still watch and act warnings in place in Western Australia after three homes were destroyed and others damaged.
The fire, about 100km north of Esperance, has now torn through about 120,000 hectares and the fire is not controlled, but breakouts are contained.
A wild fire takes over a forest in Esperance on Wednesday. Source: The Australian Picture: Chelsea TempletonSource:News Corp Australia
At Stockyard Creek and Mullet Lakes about 15,000 hectares have been scorched and the fire is not controlled, there is still a threat to homes and lives.
A fire is still raging in the Thomas River-Poison Creek area in Cape Arid National Park.
The park has been closed and the fire is moving east towards private properties.
Schools in Scaddan, Grass Patch, Salmon Gums and Cascade are closed and 329 properties are without power.
It expected that power will not be returned to the homes for about a week, with the fire causing significant damage to the network.
There are still fire concerns in South Australia, with heat expected to sore in the far northeast.
South to south-westerly winds will increase to about 40km/h this afternoon and could increase to 55km/h in the far north and east during the evening.
Severe fire dangers remain in place at North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral.
Hot and dry conditions continue throughout NSW and fire warnings have been issued for the Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Southern Ranges, Eastern Riverina and Northern Riverina fire areas.
There’s a slight possibility of lightning in the southwest.
Extreme fire danger is forecast for the Eastern Riverina and Northern Riverina and a severe fire danger has been issues in Illawarra/Shoalhaven and South Ranges.