01/06/2020
🐹The Vitoria fire is heartbreaking for animal lovers all over the world, but a heartwarming piece of news is that many dog owners did not leave the four-legged companions behind!
🐹🐹READ THE STORY: BRET HADDEN AND THE SLED DOGS STRANDED IN OMEO
"A group of around 60 sled dogs have been left stranded in the Victorian fire zone and their owner is refusing to leave without them.
About 50 residents have been evacuated from the area by Chinook helicopters, but the aircraft are only able to carry people.
"I would love to evacuate, but I've got too many animals," Hadden told."They know what's going on, but as long as I'm here, they're okay".
Hadden has been sleeping in a swag while the dogs are tied alongside each other to a fence at the showground.
On Sunday, he was able to briefly return to his home, which is still standing.
"The flames came up the mountain ridge and went right around it," he said.
The temperature in Omeo dipped to below 10 degrees and there was light rain, providing some relief for firefighters.
Hadden has been caring for the huskies for many years and they work as sled dogs in the alpine region.
About 300 people have chosen to stay in the Omeo township and rain overnight on Sunday provided some relief.
Those 50 who were evacuated were flown to Bairnsdale on the western side of the fires, before being transported to Sale.
The fire danger rating forecast for East Gippsland and the north east of Victoria on Monday is low to moderate, with temperatures of under 20C forecast.
The intense fire activity in the southeast and northeast of Victoria, however, is producing hazardous smoke conditions that are likely to worsen on Monday, EPA Victoria said.
"This will be a changing, dynamic situation. We know that the weather will start to warm up and that when we get into Thursday and Friday, potential spike days again," Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said".
(Source: 7News Australia)
🐹🐹🐹More photos of the case is in the comments.