Multiple homes lost in Grampians bushfire devastation, police blast reckless campers over illegal fires

Three homes have been destroyed by the raging Grampians bushfire while police have revealed they responded to six illegal campfires on Boxing Day when the danger level was at its highest.

As the area burnt by the bushfire hits 75,000ha, the first reports of destroyed properties are coming through.

Three homes are believed to have been destroyed in Moyston, while near a dozen non-residential structures have been burnt down in both Moyston and Pomonal.

State Control Centre spokesman Luke Hegarty said more would be known in the coming days.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done to confirm the rest of the impact assessment,” he said. “These numbers will continue to evolve over the next couple of days.”

Milder conditions on Saturday are allowing residents of towns like Halls Gap and Pomonal the opportunity to return home.

Emergency crews prepare to fight the Grampians blaze. Picture: Regan Hodge

The easing conditions came as police announced they responded to reports of six illegal campfires on Boxing Day when the danger level was at its highest with catastrophic fire danger ratings.

Police attended a campsite in Licola in the state’s east at 3.30pm when conditions were at their most brutal.

They also attended calls to campsites in Hiawatha Yarram, Rosedale and Woodside during the evening hours that had campfires burning.

A camp in Cheynes Bridge also located in the state’s east had police attend twice, at 9.45pm and 10.30pm, to open campfires burning.

Police announced that offenders from all six callouts were expected to be charged on summons with lighting a fire on a total fire ban day.

Friday December 27

Local businesses affected by the huge firestorm are also set to lose out on tens of millions of dollars, with tourists fleeing the popular holiday destination.

Several emergency warnings were on Friday downgraded to watch-and-act messages, including for Pomonal, which was almost wiped out by fire last February.

A significant drop in temperatures and wind on Friday assisted the firefighting effort but the blaze was last night still not under control.

Residents in and around the Grampians are expected to be granted access back to their homes in the coming days to assess the damage.

The Grampians fire has now ripped through more than 75,000ha of land and private property. Picture: CFA

Emergency authorities fear homes have been lost. Picture: Lexton CFA

Several sheds and fences have been damaged or destroyed and there has been a significant loss of livestock, including sheep and cattle.

Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said he expected some homes to have been lost.

“We are not yet aware of any residential properties that have been lost,” he said.

“That is possible, though, because there is thick bush around there with some homes, and we need to get in there to fully assess that.

“However, none have been reported to us.”

Officials on a road near a bushfire in the Grampians National Park. Picture: AFP

An emergency warning was issued for Pomonal, Bellellen and Black Range just after 7am on Friday. Picture: Diego Fedele

A CFA crew battles a spot fire near Glenthompson. Picture: Diego Fedele

Halls Gap, the popular tourist site dubbed “The heart of the Grampians”, this week resembled a ghost town, with only emergency services in the streets and outskirts.

The town was almost deserted, with many businesses closed in what would normally be one of the busiest periods of the year.

The region lost an estimated $202m in revenue during last February’s bushfire disaster and is set to lose an additional $2m a day this summer.

Halls Gap Zoo owner Mark Treweek said the financial impact would be enormous.

“These last few days have been terrible,” he said.

“There is no business at the moment at our busiest time of the year is gone.

“This is 25 to 30 per cent of our income through this holiday period and now it’s gone for the year.”

Halls Gap CFA captain Justin Cozens said the region – which is usually be packed with thousands of visitors – would take years to financially recover from the bushfires this year.

“It’s weird. It’s normally a very busy time of year, just after Christmas, with thousands of people coming through,” he said.

“It’s an odd feeling. It’s going to have a massive impact for all of the businesses around here.

“It’s not just a short-term thing, this is going to go for years. It’s a massive challenge for them.

“Hopefully, we get all the visitors back to the town and regions once it’s opened up.”

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll announced on Friday that government hardship assistance payments were now available for residents affected by the fires.

“We know this is a challenging time for all communities, and all communities will be supported through this period,” he said.

The bushfire, which is still not yet under control, continues to head east after a slight change in wind direction overnight. Picture: Diego Fedele

Fire season ‘just getting started’

Premier Jacinta Allan warned Victorians to remember that the bushfire season was “only just getting started”.

“It is important, particularly during the holiday season when there’s a lot of people on the move, to follow the advice and follow the rules,” she said on ABC radio.

“Don’t be — as I said — a dickhead, on total fire ban days. It can put people’s lives at risk.

“We live in a beautiful state … but it’s also a high risk fire state as well in summer. And the summer is only just getting started.”

Ms Allan said Victorians were “blessed” to have the support of local volunteers and communities.

“I know too there’s people who have been coming out from Melbourne. I’ve seen some online posts of the volunteers who have gone out with the meals that they provide to communities in need,” she said.

“There would have been some people that had some really lovely plans for Christmas that they didn’t get to enjoy because they were fleeing a fire, and might not be able to get back home for a little while, because it’s not safe to do so.”

Originally published as Multiple homes lost in Grampians bushfire devastation, police blast reckless campers over illegal fires