Out-of-control bushfires burn as Victoria blasted with extreme heat
Several homes have been engulfed in flames in the state’s west, while multiple firefighters were hurt when their vehicle was involved in a “burnover”.
Goulburn Valley
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9.10PM UPDATE: An emergency bushfire warning was issued for Newtown, Ross Creek, Scarsdale and Smythesdale, near Ballarat.
The fire started as a grassfire in Newtown and quickly spread into the Ross Creek State Forest.
Residents are being urged to leave immediately before conditions worsen.
7.30PM UPDATE: Five firefighters had a lucky escape after flames swept over their vehicle on the fireground at Pomonal near the Grampians National Park.
It came as hundreds of fire fighters were battling two out-of-control fires in the region and after reports that several homes had been engulfed in flames.
The CFA issued a statement on Tuesday night confirming “members sustained minor injuries after their vehicle was involved in a burnover” but could not yet confirm the loss of houses.
In the statement, the CFA said the members were assessed by paramedics.
“CFA has many hundreds of members on the fireground this evening and our priority is ensuring their safety as well as protecting the community,” it said.
5:23 UPDATE: A too late to leave warning has been issued for residents in the Bellfield fire region, with those under threat being told to take shelter.
In a sudden escalation on Tuesday, authorities issued an alert for residents in the Bellfield region warning mid press conference saying conditions had worsened and it was too late to escape.
Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan urged residents to find shelter immediately.
“We said it was a dynamic situation,” he said.
“That emergency warning has been upgraded to the communities of Bellfield and Halls Gap.
“It’s too late to leave. Take shelter now.”
Authorities could not reveal how many houses were under threat but warned the conditions were expected to worsen in the coming hours.
Relief centres have been set up in Stawell at the Health and Community Centre on Patrick St and Ararat at Alexandra Oval.
The Western Highway Dadswells Bridge is closed in both directions between Horsham and Warracknabeal-Stawell Rd as bushfires take over the Grampians National Park.
Residents and visitors are urged to find shelter at family or friends’ homes or head towards Stawell, where a relief centre is being established.
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesman urged motorists to stay away from the area.
“Fire conditions can change quickly, so it’s important to follow the directions of emergency services at all times,” he said.
“Driving during a bushfire is extremely dangerous, and leaving early is the best way to avoid this situation. If motorists encounter smoke or flames, we suggest immediately turning around and driving to safety.
“When this is not possible, drivers should park away from dense bush and position the vehicle to minimise exposure to radiant heat. A wall or rocky outcrop may provide a good barrier from the oncoming firefront. The car should ideally face towards the fire.
“Occupants should stay in the car with windows and doors closed tightly, covered with woollen blankets and positioned below window level. As soon as the fire front is close by, vents should be closed, and the engine turned off.”
The Western Highway will re-open when it is safe.
4:45PM UPDATE:A too late to leave warning has been issued for residents in Dadswells Bridge, Glenorchy, Ledcourt, Roses Gap, St Helens Plains and Wal Wal.
A bushfire at Mt Stapylton in the Grampians is not under control.
Fire conditions are dangerous and unpredictable, and the fire is threatening homes and lives.
4:24PM UPDATE:A fire is currently out of control in Newtown, near Ballarat.
The grassfire is currently travelling in a north-easterly direction from Staffordshire Reef Rd towards Ross Creek State forest.
A watch and act warning has been put in place for Newton, Scarsdale and Staffordshire Reef.
The next update is expected at 7:30pm or when the situation changes.
4:15PM UPDATE: A bushfire is currently out of control at Mt Beenak Rd, Three Bridges.
It is currently travelling in a southerly direction.
There is an advice warning to stay informed for Gladysdale, Hoddles Creek and Three Bridges.
BREAKING - Residents in towns south of Halls Gap have been told to leave immediately with a fast moving bushfire in the Grampians National Park growing rapidly. These are the worst conditions locals have seen since the Black Summer bushfires. More @9NewsMelbpic.twitter.com/0wpZvJm5Ej
— Amber Johnston (@amberjohnston_1) February 13, 2024
3.19PM UPDATE: Homes are under threat as multiple out-of-control fires rage in regional Victoria.
Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent revealed blazes had sprung up across the west of the state and were not yet under control and “homes are under threat”.
“We have seen a very challenging day today with very hot and windy conditions across the state,” he said.
Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan warned the situation was “very dynamic” and there were five active fires with two in the Grampians that were of major concern.
He said the situation was “rapidly developing and I do expect warning levels to increase”.
Bureau of Meteorology emergency services meteorologist Kevin Parkyn said Monday night had been “the warmest night this summer” which had created storms travelling across the state.
“In the last few hours, we’ve seen prolific thunderstorm and lightning activity develop across the state particularly through central parts and Melbourne. but extending all the way back to the valley,” he said.
“These storms are severe, damaging winds, large hail have been reported. And it’s not over yet.
“We’ve got a few hours for the storms to move through the western and central parts of the state and they’ll continue to continue through the night through Eastern Victoria.”
This Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Melbourne Area is for people in Western Port and parts of Port Phillip waters, Mornington Peninsula, South East and Outer East Local Warning Areas.
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
Stay informed: https://t.co/T05ONtwAm3pic.twitter.com/18aNG8jq2B
Residents evacuating from the Bellfield bushfire in the Grampians National Park are being advised to use the Ararat Halls Gap Rd to leave and head towards Ararat.
Ararat Council has set up an emergency evacuation centre at Alexandra Oval in Ararat.
Those evacuating from the other Grampians fire at Dadswells Bridge are urged to leave towards Stawell where the Northern Grampians Shire Council has set up an unofficial evacuation centre at the Stawell Library.
A Watch and Act warning has been issued for Melbourne, as a thunderstorm rolls over.
Bushfire - Emergency Warning for Grampians National Park, Mt Stapylton. You should Leave Now. For more info: https://t.co/jX5UO4WAns#vicfires
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
3.15PM UPDATE: Close to 62,000 customers across Victoria are without power, with towns in the western half of the state unlikely to have energy restored until tonight.
Residents in Colac, Elaine, Murrayville, Underbool, Walpeup, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Fairhaven and dozens more are being told power won’t be restored until 9.30pm to 10.30pm.
CitiPower has identified the sweeping stormfronts as the cause of the outages, with the extent of the storm impacting on power restoration times.
CitiPower is asking people to stay at least 10m away from fallen powerlines and to report any incidents on 13 24 12.
2.39PM UPDATE: The Dadswell Bridge fire in the northern part of the Grampians National Park has been moved to an emergency warning level, with residents urged to leave immediately.
Dadswells Bridge, Ledcourt, Roses Gap, Wartook are under the warning, with the fire travelling in a south-easterly direction.
The towns of Dadswells Bridge and Ledcourt will be impacted by the fire front soon when the south-westerly wind change sweep through, the VicEmergency app says.
The Western Highway is closed between Horsham and Warracknabeal-Stawell Road intersection.
Bushfire - Emergency Warning for Grampians National Park, Mt Stapylton. You should Leave Now. For more info: https://t.co/WSbWas05Rr#vicfires
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
2.34PM UPDATE: While Victorians tensely await storm fronts to sweep through the state, one of the Grampians National Park fires has been downgraded to an advice level.
The advice message applies to Bellellen, Fyans Creek, Grampians Junction, Halls Gap, Lake Fyans, Mokepilly, Moyston, Pomonal.
A separate fire to the west still threatens local communities, currently sitting at an emergency warning level.
Residents are still being urged by CFA to remain vigilant and leave the area if possible.
2.23PM UPDATE: A bushfire in the Grampians National Park has been escalated to an emergency warning, threatening five nearby communities.
The Bellfield blaze remains out of control, with a CFA update at 2pm showing the fire travelling south is heading toward towns including Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Halls Gap, Lake Fyans and Pomonal.
This Emergency Warning - Bushfire- Leave Immediately
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
is for Grampians National Park, Bellfield.
Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
More details at https://t.co/2IqLIm0JRHpic.twitter.com/NgbmBueRju
A wind change is predicted to cause the bushfire to change directions towards Pomonal, impacting anytime within the next two hours.
Residents are urged to leave their homes now.
It comes as a thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of Melbourne, with residents reporting hail the size of golf balls landing in Ballarat.
Severe Thunderstorm – Watch and Act for Northern and Eastern Melbourne. You should Prepare To Take Shelter. For more info: https://t.co/LwEy6BaNW3#vicstorms
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
1.22PM UPDATE: A Halls Gap blaze is continuing to burn out of control but fireys have managed to tame a Stockyard Hill grassfire.
The Halls Gap bushfire is travelling in a southerly direction from the Terraces Fire Line in the Grampians National Park, with a watch and act alert in place for residents.
Bushfire - Watch and Act for Grampians National Park, Bellfield. You should leave now, if you are not prepared to stay. For more info: https://t.co/TdX8iwMgZ1#vicfires
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
However, a wind change predicted for 2pm could cause the fire to travel towards Pomonal and surrounding towns.
A Mt Stapylton fire close to the Halls Gap area has also been upgraded to a watch and act alert.
Bushfire - Watch and Act for Grampians National Park, Mt Stapylton. You should leave now, if you are not prepared to stay. For more info: https://t.co/isDU1ouBmB#vicfires
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
The same 2pm wind change may send fires from its current southerly direction in the Grampians towards Dadswell Bridge and Ledcourt.
The earlier Koonoomoo bushfire is under control again, with other fires at Icy Creek and Stawell marked as safe.
12.38PM UPDATE: An out-of-control grassfire at Stockyard Hill, Beaufort in Victoria’s west has been upgraded to a watch and act alert.
The fire is currently spreading in a north-westerly direction towards Crossroads, with 13 firefighting vehicles responding.
This Watch and Act message is for Beaufort, Cross Roads, Stockyard Hill, Stoneleigh, Yalla-y-poora.
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
More details at https://t.co/cPi2TNqTb7pic.twitter.com/u5BRTR5xRp
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) is urging people to leave the area now if not prepared to stay, with conditions likely to change or worsen quickly.
If leaving the area, residents should not drive near the fire area and drive safely.
If choosing to stay, CFA recommends people seek shelter indoors by bringing pets indoors and closing all exterior doors windows and vents, including cooling systems.
A room with a door and a window to the home’s exterior is the best place to seek shelter and monitor fire conditions.
12.26 UPDATE: A flurry of fires have broken out in Koonoomoo as parts of state prepare for a sweltering, total fire ban day with temperatures expected to reach up to and over 40C.
32 CFA units responded to a small grass and scrub fire at Cobram Track in Koonoomoo at 7:43am, with six active fires covering half a hectare in size.
There are five small fires still burning, with fire fighters containing four of them with mineral earth breaks.
There are high winds expected during the course of the day, which may impact the smoke visibility and fire activity.
There is currently no threat to the community, but we are encouraging people to continue to stay informed. The community should monitor conditions and warnings, plan ahead, and decide what they will do if the situation changes.
12.23PM UPDATE: A string of fires has broken out close to the Grampians National Park.
A fire 3km southeast of Halls Gap took hold about 12pm.
Six trucks are responding to the blaze which remains out of control.
An aircraft has been dispatched to assist with firefighting efforts.
Bushfire - Advice for Terraces Fire Line, Grampians National Park. You should Stay Informed. For more info: https://t.co/38BvIyMH1O#vicfires
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) February 13, 2024
Further north in the Grampians, two fires have sparked at Dadswell Bridge and Laharum, with six firefighting vehicles tackling the flames.
Both fires are not yet under control.
A small fire at Stawell was reported at 11.37am, but has been marked as safe by the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
The CFA is continuing to urge people to remain vigilant and stay up to date on emergency alerts.
Air support was requested, and Victoria Police and a Fire Investigator were called to the scene.
An advice message has been issued for the local community.
The incident was deemed under control at 10:15am.
Koonoomoo is located in the Shire of Moira, near Cobram, and is known for having the Big Strawberry.
A total fire ban has been issued for parts of the state, with temperatures soaring beyond 40C in some parts of the state.
Goulburn Valley towns of Cobram, Shepparton and Echuca are all expected to reach temperatures nearing 40C.
More to follow.
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