Flowerdale grass fire: Crews unable to control fire overnight, properties threatened

A town ravaged by the Black Saturday bushfires is again under threat as a blaze continues to ravage parts of Melbourne’s north east.

The Flowerdale fire on Tuesday night. Picture: @jp — pix — 1973 @7Newsmelbourne Instagram.

A grassfire that broke out in Flowerdale on Tuesday afternoon is still burning out of control.

The fire, that began about 2.40pm on Tuesday, has grown to more than 717ha in size as of 7.30am on Wednesday.

It is now too late to leave for people in the Flowerdale area and a leave now order has been issued for people from Dairy Creek Rd to Handleys Rd and Upper King Parrot Creek Rd to Landmark Lane.

The towns of Ghin Ghin, Whiteheads Creek, Avenel and surrounds are being told to stay informed.

The CFA said on Wednesday morning the fire is in steep and inaccessible country, spreading into forested areas to the north.

More than 50 CFA units have responded to this incident since it was first reported.

A fire burns through farmland near Flowerdale, CFA and firefighting aircraft including the chinook drop water on it. Picture: Jason Edwards

FFMVic crews have also been supporting.

“There has also been a significant response from our aerial firefighting appliances to support ground crews. We have undertaken aerial water bombing overnight,” a spokesperson said.

There are still no reports of houses being lost but some fencing and sheds have been impacted.

The chinook at work. Picture: Jason Edwards

“The extent of the damage is not yet known,” CFA said.

An Incident Control Centre has been established at Alexandra.

Parents are being urged to stay in contact with their school to find out if bus routes will be impacted and if schools will be open.

A grassfire which broke out in Flowerdale on Tuesday afternoon is still burning out of control on Wednesday morning.

The Fire Danger Rating for North Central on Wednesday is Moderate.

If you are yet to leave you should:

• Quickly move indoors
• Bring your pets indoors
• Close all exterior doors, windows and vents.
• Turn off cooling systems.
• You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to harm you well before the flames reach you.
• Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window, including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
• If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.

It is now too late to leave.

If you cannot get indoors, last resort options include sheltering in the middle of a cleared area or going into a large body of water.

Head to the VicEmergency app for more details and to stay up to date.