East Gippsland fire mass evacuations

ABC reports - Thousands of East Gippsland residents and holidaymakers urged to leave ahead of escalating bushfire danger

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-29/people-told-to-leave-east-gippsland-as-bushfire-risk-rises/11831304

I am trying to match their statements logically with BoM heatwave maps and t data - I do wonder if they are over-reacting.

http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/heatwave/

Looking at East Gippsland temperatures now and max today all are under 37.

http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/observations/vicall.shtml?ref=hdr

The heatwave maps get cooler out to NY Day.