Geelong V/Line: extreme heat policy to be enacted amid soaring temperatures

Fire crews fought a grassfire at Anakie on Tuesday as “extreme” heat gripped the Geelong region. Here’s what you need to know.

Crews are fighting a grassfire on De Motts Rd, Anakie. Picture: Glenn Campbell

More than a dozen firetrucks are involved in fighting a grassfire at Anakie.

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesman confirmed the organisation responded to a blaze on De Motts Rd, Anakie after multiple reports at about 1pm on Tuesday.

“We’ve got 11 CFA units on the scene at the moment, with two more responding now as well,” he said.

“They called in air support, which has since been released … they used air support to control the fire.

“They’ve called a second Helitak (Fire Tank) to be on the scene.”

The spokesman said the fire was still ongoing.

A VicEmergency alert advised residents the grassfire was travelling from De Motts Rd in a southerly direction towards Clarkes Rd.

“There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and monitor conditions,” the alert read.

“Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond.

“If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.

“If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.”

The alert said smoke would be visible from nearby communities and roads.

An update issued at 2.50pm advised emergency services remain in the area but people located within Anakie could resume normal activities.

For information on protecting yourself and your family, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/am-i-at-risk/grassfires-rural.

Trains to run to slower amid ‘extreme’ temperatures

Oppressive heat is expected to grip the Geelong region on Tuesday, with a top of 37C expected.

V/Line will implement an extreme heat timetable across parts of the network, including Geelong.

“Trains that usually travel at up to 160km/h need to slow down to 90km/h or less because steel tracks expand in the heat,” V/Line said in a statement.

“This means journey times may be extended by a few minutes, and some services will be replaced by airconditioned coaches for all or part of the journey.”

Holiday-makers including Will and Theo enjoyed a milder and quieter day at Barwon Heads beach ahead of Tuesday's expected heatwave. Picture: Alan Barber

The temperature remained warm overnight on Monday, hovering in the high teens well past midnight before dropping to a low of 16.4C at Geelong Racecourse by 6am.

The mercury then started to climb again, reaching 20.2C by 8am.

Locals and holiday-makers will be looking to cool off at the region’s beaches, before showers and thunderstorms sweep the region in the late afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts winds of to 25km/h could hit Geelong in the evening.

Residents look likely to get a reprieve from the heat on Wednesday, with a top of 22C predicted ahead of 19C on Thursday and 22C on Friday.

Originally published as Geelong V/Line: extreme heat policy to be enacted amid soaring temperatures