Authorities order massive evacuation as huge bushfire rages through southeast Australia

Around 30,000 people had been ordered to evacuate parts of Australia’s southeastern Victoria state before midday Wednesday due to a massive bushfire, Anadolu Agency reported, adding that hot winds and a potential thunderstorm threaten to aggravate the situation.

Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blaze that started last Thursday near the city of Ballarat, 95 kilometers (60 miles) west of Melbourne, and is “not yet under control.”

Hot, dry and windy conditions have led to the sweeping fire that has already destroyed six homes, killed livestock and burnt more than 20,000 hectares, the sources confirmed.