Dereel blaze under control after ‘worst fire threat day’ in years
Victoria’s fire threat has eased after catastrophic weather sparked major fears across the state’s west — but the Premier has warned more challenging conditions are ahead.
Emergency Services
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A bushfire that threatened the town of Dereel near Ballarat is under control as firefighters continue to battle blazes across the state’s west.
Emergency services said they had been able to bring a fire on Kleins Rd that threatened Dereel, south of Ballarat, under control overnight on Wednesday.
The fire burnt about 110ha.
The emergency advice for the blaze was downgraded to “Watch and Act – Stay Near Shelter” level about 5am Thursday.
“Firefighters have been able to contain the spread of the fire, but this can change at any time,” the VicEmergency alert said.
“You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.”
Residents of the small town had been told to “shelter indoors immediately” about 8pm on Wednesday as the fire burnt out of control.
It comes as regional residents received a reprieve after a week-long bushfire in Bayindeen, but were asked to stay watchful as fire danger continues to loom.
It is now safe for people to return to their homes in the state’s west near Beaufort where residents were forced to evacuate in the days following a bushfire outbreak last Thursday.
Aircraft, heavy machinery, and firefighters remain active in the region and authorities have urged caution of hazards such as fallen trees.
In Ballarat on Thursday, Premier Jacinta Allan said regional Victorians would need to continue heeding the warnings of emergency services while the weather posed a fire risk in the next week.
Ms Allan said next Wednesday was looking to be “a difficult day”, with firmer expectations of conditions to come.
“We will need that ongoing vigilance; we will need to continue to have the advice followed,” she said.
The Bureau of Meteorology currently predicts temperatures between 32 and 34 degrees on Wednesday comparing forecasts of Ballarat, Ararat, and Maryborough.
Ms Allan said the fires on Wednesday could have been “so much worse”.
“It is quite impressive that we have seen such damaging weather over the last three weeks,” Ms Allan said.
“We have had some property loss and we sadly saw the loss of a farmer in south Gippsland but we have seen a real containment and a real protection of life and property over the past three weeks.
“And that is because of the coordination, the training, and response of our emergency services, which on behalf of all Victorians we say thank you and we’re deeply grateful for the work you’ve put in.”
Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said the past three weeks had been “very challenging”.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), we saw the worst fire conditions for many years in this state,” he said.
“It was forecast to be catastrophic in the Wimmera and extreme for all the rest of the other parts of the western part of the state.
“As the day unfolded, those catastrophic conditions also moved their way through the southwest of the state.”
Mr Nugent thanked emergency agencies for the “enormous” work they did preparing for the day.
Four separate fire outbreaks were suppressed in Bayindeen on Wednesday.
Earlier — Firefighters battle strong winds
On Wednesday fire crews faced strong north and northwesterly winds in fire-ravaged areas of the state’s west.
The Bureau had warned that “damaging wind gusts” would hammer the region, while isolated showers were expected in more southern parts of the affected areas.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said wind changes were always a concern for firefighters.
He said ahead of the change in the areas around the Bayindeen-Rocky Rd blaze, winds would be 30 to 40km/h, and after it, up to 80km/h.
Mr Heffernan cautioned that things would “heat up very quickly during the day and around lunchtime we’ll hit that peak, but that late change today won’t come through until probably after dark”.
“The safest advice under today’s conditions is to please leave.”
The wind change put a large area southwest of Beaufort, between Skipton and Hamilton, in the likely path of smoke.
Emergency services were still urging communities directly to the north, south, and west of the fire front to keep up to date with blaze’s evolution throughout Wednesday evening.
More than 100 firefighters from New South Wales headed south to bolster Victoria’s emergency response. A large air tanker and Black Hawk helicopter from New South Wales were also made available.
After a quick break and refuel in Albury, our #RFS Strike Teams continue on their way to Ballarat in Victoria, where they'll be based over coming days to assist with fire activity. pic.twitter.com/jEyRnClUf1
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 27, 2024
Temperatures to soar
Melbourne was expected to swelter to 37C on Wednesday. Top temperatures were set to hit the state’s northwest, with Mildura set to reach 44C.
Two grassfires broke out in Wyuna on Wednesday afternoon and units from Kyabram, Echuca, Tongala, Yambuna and Wyuna responded to the fires.
An advice warning was in place for smoke in the area and Victoria Police were at the scene, managing traffic.
Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said outer regions of Melbourne were also at risk of grass fire due to a recent lack of rainfall.
“You’ve got all of the area to the west of Melbourne and the north of Melbourne where you’ve got grass that has really dried out quite quickly over the last little while we haven’t had rain for a while. So that is at risk,” he told ABC Mornings.
“We can’t be just focused on that fire north or Beaufort and around Beaufort.”
An urgent warning was issued by Asthma Australia on Wednesday, who warned bushfire smoke can have “serious health implications” for any asthmatic, “even at low-levels”.
“Bushfire smoke can be very toxic for people with asthma and can potentially become life threatening,” their statement said.
“The fine particle pollutants in smoke get deep into the lungs and inflame and narrow the airways, making it difficult to breathe.
“We urge people living in Victoria’s West to minimise their exposure to smoke.
“If it becomes an issue, stay tuned to symptoms and seek medical care in an emergency.”
The organisation encouraged people to stay if it is safe and close their windows and doors, use an air conditioner and air purifier if available or – if unable to find a smoke-free area – wear a fitted P2 / N95 mask.
Anyone experiencing symptoms – which include shortness of breath, a tight chest, coughing and wheezing – should be treated with the asthma first aid steps.
These steps are to sit the person upright, give them four separate puffs of a reliever puffer, wait four minutes and then give another four puffs if they do not get better.
‘Stressed to the max’
Mark Collins, who lives on the edge of Beaufort said he would spend the night at the Wendouree relief centre.
He said “everyone’s in the firing line”.
“Everything’s so dry.
“I’ve done what I could for my place and I’ve taken my cat inside (the centre).
“Because the change is predicted to hit hardest after 5.30, they won’t let us back in … so we’re not going back tonight.”
Mr Collins said he felt “stressed to the max” given he was recovering from a recent surgery and already lost a home in 2017 to fire.
“I lost everything.
“So this has triggered a lot.”
Rosemary Torney, who lives south of Beaufort, came to the Ballarat relief centre with her dog Pepper and cat Munchkin, leaving horses and cattle at her property.
“If two trees fall down, I’m stuck,” Ms Torney said.
“So I was going to go last night, couldn’t find anywhere to go, so I woke up this morning (and came to the Wendouree relief centre) and it’s a complete non-event.
“It’s quiet, it’s overcast, it’s not hot.
“…the conditions from hell that we were expecting didn’t eventuate.”
She said the situation was “basically, hurry up and wait”.
Services disrupted, prisoners evacuated
Nearly 100 early childhood centres and schools were shut or forced to relocate as a result of the fire danger.
Commuters on Wednesday were encouraged to allow for extra time with service disruptions to some trams, trains and buses.
An extreme heat timetable was place for V/Line trains, including the Geelong, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Ararat, Maryborough, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Seymour and Shepparton lines, to reduce the likelihood of train and track faults.
Coach services will not operate in the Wimmera, including services to and from Stawell, Halls Gap, Horsham, Nhill and Dimboola.
Catastrophic and Extreme Fire Danger Ratings are forecast for parts of Victoria on Wednesday 28 February. Extreme heat timetables will run on all lines and coaches will not run in the Wimmera region. For more visit: https://t.co/kD7FoRjgYZpic.twitter.com/QsYTVvePoa
— V/Line (@VLine) February 27, 2024
Prisoners at minimum-security Langi Kal Kal were evacuated due to the fire in the Beaufort area.
All prisoners have been moved to other locations, including Hopkins Correctional Centre in Ararat, the Metropolitan Remand Centre in Ravenhall and Western Plains Correctional Centre in Lara.
“Prisoners will have the opportunity to call friends and family when they reach their destination,” a Corrections Victoria statement said.
“Arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of all prisoners and staff during these events.”
WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Narelle Beer said employers should be ready to make accommodations to ensure they are not leaving their workers exposed.
“Employers have a legal obligation to monitor the conditions of their workplace so they can identify and manage any risk to health and safety, including those posed by events such as extreme weather,” Dr Beer said.
“Work-related hazards could include exposure to heat, fire and smoke, making it critical that employers and workers in high risk areas are alert to the dangers and prepared to act.”
Dr Beer said business operators, particularly those with workers in affected areas, may need to think about postponing or relocating their work to a time or place with less risk.
“Extreme heat can be deadly, so it’s crucial that employers reduce the risks to workers who are out in the weather, as well as those who may be working in spaces without ventilation or airconditioning,” she said.
“Also be mindful of the risk to workers exposed to bushfire smoke – and consider avoiding outdoor work on days where the air quality rating is poor, very poor or hazardous.”
Symptoms of heat-related illness include nausea or vomiting, dizziness, feeling weak, pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches.
The Bayindeen-Rocky Rd fire had been completely contained on Wednesday, but emergency services were awaiting worse conditions.
Ballarat incident controller Jarrod Hayse said about 500 firefighters were spread across the 157km perimeter of the fire, with a control line established all the way around it.
Despite a small amount of localised rain, he said the wind was expected to move west from the fire front and conditions to become less humid from this afternoon, alongside the possibility of dry thunderstorms.
“With the weather today it really is an hour-by-hour proposition,” Mr Hayse said.
“For every hour that this fire doesn’t breach control lines, we’re in a really good position.”
At a relief centre set up at Selkirk Stadium in Wendouree, people sitting in their cars were pleased with the cooler conditions – so far – compared with the end of last week.
Animals are not allowed inside the centre and so were being kept in cars or on ute trays.
More than 50 cars were parked outside.
Wind gusts picked up early on Wednesday afternoon to reach 30-40km/h in Beaufort and temperatures had also risen.
Local hairdresser Tayla van Rossum, 31, said she opted to keep her business in Beaufort open on Wednesday as she couldn’t afford to lose a day’s work.
Ms van Rossum, who runs the Rubi and Rae store on the Western Hwy, said she and her three children were ready to leave should the conditions deteriorate.
“It’s actually been really busy, I hairdressed all morning and I’ve got a couple of clients this afternoon,” she said.
“We’ve got all of our stuff in the car, ready to go if we do have to go.
“I’m a single mum, so if I don’t work, I don’t get paid.”
Ms van Rossum said the extreme fire danger rating for much of the state and a catastrophic warning for the Wimmera likely scared customers, residents and visitors away – should the fire remain contained.
She said locals may rethink next time when being told to leave a fire zone.
“They have really, really hyped it up,” she added.
“I think it’ll make a lot of people weary next time not to leave, just with how crazy they did have (the warning). We had people come around yesterday (Tuesday) to say ‘leave tonight’, that’s why no one is open.”
But she acknowledged Wednesday afternoon’s situation could turn nasty if the predicted forecasts came to fruition.
“I think it’s a hard one too, they did obviously say it can change so quickly, so if they didn’t (warn residents), then they’d get in trouble,” she added.
The Beaufort resident has been offering free coffee for emergency service workers since late last week as they continue to battle the blaze.
“Not as many have (taken up the offer) today, because they’re all out there, but on Friday I did about 70 free coffees,” she added.
“Obviously I can’t go out and fight the fire myself, so anything to help them being out there.
“I know one local has been out there for 36 hours straight, so anything to help out.”
Early childhood and school closures
NORTHEAST VICTORIA
Warrandyte Primary School, Warrandyte – closed. Temporarily relocating to Templestowe Heights Primary School, Templestowe
NORTHWEST VICTORIA
Rushworth P-12 College, Rushworth – closed. Learning from home.
Eaglehawk North Primary School, Eaglehawk – closed. Relocating to Eaglehawk Primary School, Eaglehawk
Hesket Primary School, Hesket – closed. Relocating to Romsey Primary School, Romsey
Macedon Primary School, Macedon – closed. Relocating to Sunbury Heights Primary School, Sunbury
Mount Macedon Primary School – closed. Relocating to Romsey Primary School, Romsey
Sunbury And Macedon Ranges Specialist School, Bullengarook Senior Campus – closed, learning from home.
Alice Miller School, Macedon – closed.
Braemar College, Mt Macedon Campus, Woodend – closed.
Chewton Primary School, Chewton – closed. Relocating to Castlemaine Primary School, Castlemaine.
Christmas Hills Primary School, Christmas Hills – closed. Kangaroo Ground Primary School, Kangaroo Ground.
St Andrews Primary School, St Andrews – closed. Relocating to Hurstbridge Primary School, Hurstbridge
Strathewen Primary School, Strathewen – closed. Relocating to Diamond Valley Secondary College, Diamond Creek
Talbot Primary School, Talbot – closed.
SOUTHWEST VICTORIA
Big Childcare – Apsley PS OSHC
Concongella Primary School Council OSHC
Cooinda Kindergarten
Edenhope Early Childhood Service
Goroke Preschool
Jeparit Kindergarten
Marrang Kindergarten & Early Learning Centre
Minyip Kindergarten
Murtoa College OSHC
Nhill Early Learning Centre
St Arnaud Early Learning Centre
Warracknabeal 3 year old program, Warracknabeal
Warracknabeal 3 year old program, Wheatlands District Church
Warracknabeal Memorial Kindergarten, Warracknabeal
Warracknabeal Neighbourhood House Take a Break Childcare Centre
Warracknabeal Uniting Early Learning, Warracknabeal
Beaufort Early Childhood Centre, Beaufort
Trawalla-Beaufort OSHC club, Trawalla
After The Bell Aus – St Arnaud Primary School, St Arnaud
Waubra Children’s Centre, Waubra
Waubra OSH Club, Waubra
Buangor Primary School Council, Buangor
Clunes and District Preschool, Clunes
Amphitheatre Primary School, Amphitheatre
Pomonal Primary School, Pomonal
Apsley Primary School, Apsley
Concongella Primary School, Concongella
Dimboola Memorial Secondary College, Dimboola
Edenhope College, Edenhope
Goroke P-12 College, Goroke
Great Western Primary School, Great Western
Halls Gap Primary School, Halls Gap
Horsham College – McKenzie Creek Campus, McKenzie Creek
Horsham Primary School – 298 Campus, Horsham
Horsham Primary School – Rassmussen Road Campus, Horsham
Horsham West and Haven Primary School – Haven Campus, Haven
Horsham West and Haven Primary School – Horsham West
Jeparit Primary School, Jeparit
Kaniva College, Kaniva
Marnoo Primary School, Marnoo
Minyip Primary School, Minyip
Murtoa College, Murtoa
Natimuk Primary School, Natimuk
Navarre Primary School, Navarre
Nhill College, Nhill
Rupanyup Primary School, Rupanyup
St Arnaud Primary School, St Arnaud
St Arnaud Secondary College, St Arnaud
Stawell Secondary College, Stawell
Stawell West Primary School, Stawell
Warracknabeal Primary School, Warracknabeal
Warracknabeal Secondary College, Warracknabeal
Warracknabeal Special Developmental School, Warracknabeal
Pomonal Primary school, Pomonal
Holy Trinity Lutheran College, Horsham
Nhill Lutheran School, Nhill
St Peter’s Lutheran School, Dimboola
Trawalla Primary School, Trawalla
Beaufort Secondary College, Beaufort
Beaufort Primary School, Beaufort
Waubra Primary School, Waubra
Amphitheatre Primary School, Amphitheatre
Buangor Primary School, Buangor
Clunes Primary School, Clunes
Mount Blowhard Primary School, Blowhard
Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa
St Malachy’s School, Edenhope
St Mary’s School, Warracknabeal
St Patrick’s School, Nhill
St Patrick’s School, Stawell
St Patrick’s School, St Arnaud
Little Bendigo Primary School, Bendigo – closed. Relocating to Woodmans Hill Secondary College, Ballarat
Forrest Primary School, Forrest – closed. Relocating to Colac South West Primary School
Lavers Hill K-12 College, Lavers Hill – closed. Relocating to Lavers Hill K-12 College Learning School, Colac
Belmont High School, Tanybryn camp – closed.
Linton Primary School – closed. Relocating to Delacombe Primary School, Delacombe.
Northern Bay P-12 College, Staughton Vale Outdoor Education Centre – closed.
Bullarto Primary School, Bullarato – closed. Relocating to Daylesford College, Daylesford.
Yandoit Primary School, Yandoit – closed. Relocating to Daylesford Primary School, Daylesford.
Brauer Secondary College, Dunkeld Annexem campus – closed.
Aireys Inlet Primary School, Aireys Inlet – closed. Relocating to Torquay College (P-6), Torquay
Anglesea Primary School, Anglesea – closed. Relocating to Torquay College (P-6), Torquay
Frankston Special Developmental School, Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre – closed
Alpine School, Gunard Gundidj campus, Corangamite
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