Victoria fire alerts: CFA warnings as temperatures soar
LATEST: A Victorian region is facing emergency fire warnings after hot and windy conditions sparked about 200 blazes across the state. With some 300 properties threatened, it emerged one of the most dangerous fires was triggered by a controlled burn that jumped containment lines. The revelation has prompted the Federal Government to seek an explanation from Premier Daniel Andrews.
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- CFA: Current warnings across Victoria (External website)
- Vic Emergency: Map of latest warnings (External website)
UPDATE: A Victorian region is facing emergency fire warnings tonight after hot and windy conditions sparked about 200 blazes across the state.
The Herald Sun’s live coverage of Victoria’s fires has concluded.
As 300 properties were threatened throughout the day, and two destroyed, it emerged one of the most dangerous fires - in the Macedon Ranges - was triggered by a controlled burn that jumped containment lines.
The revelation that a controlled burn has prompted Federal Government Minister Greg Hunt to seek an explanation from Premier Daniel Andrews.
The emergency warning for that fire remains in place, with residents in Benloch, Nulla Vale and Pastoria East warned to take immediate shelter indoors.
Kerrisdale was also facing an emergency warning but the situation has been downgraded to watch and act.
Get real-time emergency warnings in the links above.
11:15pm:
Residents in Baynton, Baynton East, Emu Flat and Nulla Vale are being urged to leave their homes and seek refuge in the relief centre at the Gisborne Community Centre in an updated watch and act message.
The 2500 hectare bushfire in the Cobaw area is burning toward Baynton with spotfires flaring ahead of the blaze.
10:30pm:
An emergency warning for Kerrisdale has been downgraded to watch and act.
The CFA is warning residents that staying close to shelter is the safest option, in case conditions change again suddenly
Firefighters have not been able to stop the blaze heading in the direction of King Parrot Creek Road, with wind gusts causing it to burn erratically.
10pm:
There are two emergency warnings and four watch and act messages for fires burning across Victoria.
Residents in Benloch, Nulla Vale and Pastoria East have been told it is too late for them to leave.
The fire, which started as a controlled burn last week, has spread to 2500 hectares.
People in Kerrisdale, which is under attack from a separate fire, have been encouraged to leave as soon as possible.
Watch and Act messages remain in place Granite, Trawool, Baynton, Baynton East, Emu Flat, Maryknoll and Tynong North.
Victoria’s fires by the numbers:
Over 670 firefighters, 19 water aircraft and 206 fire trucks are battling 200 fires.
300 homes threatened, two houses destroyed.
8:40pm:
The town of Pastoria East is now facing an emergency warning, alongside Benloch and Nulla Vale, with the fire threatening the region around 2500 hectares in size.
Spotfires and ember attacks have been reported in Benloch.
8:10pm:
Relief centres have now been set up in Seymour at the Aquatic Centre and at the Yea Recreation Reserve for people in the Kerrisdale region seeking refuge.
7:20pm:
Residents in Benloch and Nulla Vale facing an emergency warning from the Lancefield fire are being warned of a fast moving, out of control bushfire heading north toward the region from Nudist Camp Road.
The fire is impacting houses on Ashworths Road, Musk Gully Road, Whalans Track and Greenways Road.
7pm:
An emergency warning is in place for Kerrisdale, with firefighters unable to stop a blaze burning in bushland in Tallarook.
Residents in Kerrisdale are warned they may experience spot fires and embers.
6:45pm:
An emergency warning for a fire threatening Maryknoll, Tynong North and Nar Nar Goon North has been downgraded, with a Watch and Act message issued.
Firefighters have stopped the spread of the bushfire in the area north of Maryknoll, but is still not yet under control.
6.30pm:
An emergency warning for a fire threatening Koorlong near Mildura has been downgraded.
Firefighters have stopped the spread of the bushfire at the Koorlong State Forest, but it is not yet under control.
Local residents have been advised to remain close to shelter in case conditions change.
6.15pm:
As smoke blanketed the hills near Cowbaw, outside Lancefield, residents were questioning why the government went ahead with planned burns despite the forecast for sweltering conditions and fierce winds.
Allen Mae said he and his wife had been concerned about last Thursday’s burns and had discussed the timing.
Mr Mae left his home on Burke and Wills Track this morning to drive his wife to hospital in Melbourne, trusting that the fires would be under control.
“We all knew this heatwave was coming, it was very obvious,” he said.
“I pressed the Fire Ready app and it said the fire was controlled … I thought we were safe. But of course it wasn’t controlled and so it has surprised us all.”
Another resident, Vinny, said the lack of communication had made planning for the fire difficult.
“We thought they were smarter than that,” he said.
“The app said it was under control. We were trying to work out what was going on, and all we could do was look out our front door and look for smoke before we went to work.
“It’s terrible. We had trust … that they know what they’re doing — I’m grateful for the CFA but we have to ask how do we stop this from happening again.”
Rural landowners said they were used to being fire ready in summer but did not expect to be under threat at the start of October.
5.50pm:
An emergency relief centre has opened at Gisborne. Those affected by the fires can head to the Gisborne Community Centre in Hamilton St.
5.45pm:
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has written to Premier Daniel Andrews seeking an explanation.
“There could not have been clearer warnings of high winds and hot weather,’’ Mr Hunt told the Herald Sun.
“Controlled burning is an essential part of protecting our landscape but the rules are very simple - burn when it’s cool, don’t burn when it’s hot and dry.
“The laws of physics apply to everyone, including the Victorian ALP Government.’’
5.07pm:
A 30ha grassfire threatening homes at Calder Park is now under control, authorities have announced.
A Watch and Act was issued earlier this afternoon for residents of Calder Park, Hillside (Melton), Keilor North, Sydenham, Sydenham Park, and Taylors Lakes.
Traffic diversions have been put in place as outbound lanes on the Calder Freeway are blocked between Kings Rd and Thompsons Rd in Calder Park.
Traffic on the Calder Freeway has been reduced to a crawl with drivers urged to take the Melton Hwy turnoff.
5.06pm:
The Koorlong fire is now travelling north from Koorlong State Forest towards Twenty First St, with warnings that Benetook Ave, Twenty First St and Whitecliff Ave could be impacted within the next hour or two.
4.42pm:
The Lancefield fire is currently affecting houses on Ashworth Rd, Musk Gully Rd, Whalans Track and Greenways Rd, the CFA said.
Ashworth Rd resident Mark Morgan who owns MorganField Vineyard said CFA crews appeared to be focusing work on retaining the fire in the Cobaw Forest.
“The wind direction is changeable and everything looks okay until there’s the odd gust and then you are getting the odd ember,” he said.
Mr Morgan said he wasn’t as prepared as what he would have been in Janurary when more adverse fire conditions were expected.
“It’s unbelievable we have this sort of situation today - its October 6,” he said.
Assumption College in nearby Kilmore has cancelled its bus services for students who live in Lancefield and Riddells Creek, keeping the students at the school until further notice.
Meanwhile, Inglis horse sales in Oaklands Junction has offered its facilities as a refuge for horse owners in the Lancefield area who need somewhere to take their animals.
4.29pm:
A bushfire threatening Maryknoll, Nar Nar Goon North and Tynong North has been upgraded to an emergency warning.
A wind change has moved the direction of the fire north towards the Gembrook State Forest.
The CFA says residents must take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
The fire is no longer expected to cross the southern side of Mortimer Road
4.24pm:
Melbourne’s temperature has dropped almost 15C in 30 minutes as strong winds hit the city and thrash Victoria, with gusts of up to 120km/h recorded in alpine areas.
4.23pm:
An emergency warning has been issued for residents in Koorlong near Mildura.
The fast moving, out-of-control bushfire is travelling north from Koorlong State Forest towards Twenty First St.
The CFA has warned there are spotfires and ember attacks up to 3km ahead of the fire.
The blaze could reach Benetook Ave, Twenty First St and Whitecliff Avenues anytime within the next two hours.
3.53pm:
There is a Watch and Act warning for a fire threatening Calder Park, Sydenham, Hillside (Melton), Sydenham Park, Keilor North, Taylors Lakes.
The 30-hectare grassfire is travelling fast in a northerly direction from Calder Park Drive towards Victoria Road and Darlington Grove, the CFA said.
This grassfire is currently not yet under control.
The fire could impact houses anytime between 3.45pm and 4.00pm.
Motorists should expect delays heading home, with the Calder Freeway closed to traffic travelling west. Traffic will be diverted via Kings Rd.
3.51pm:
The emergency alert for the Lancefield fire has been extended, with the CFA warning a wind change is sending the blaze towards Benloch and Nulla Vale.
Residents in this area have been told to take shelter indoors immediately because it is too late to leave.
The warning includes residents accessing property from Burke & Wills Track between Lancefield-Toobrurac Road and Baynton Road. Houses on Ashworth Road are being hit by embers.
3.42pm:
Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said there were 100 fires burning around Victoria and three were significant.
He said Victoria had never experienced conditions like these past few days in its history.
“We are in it for the long haul,” he said.
He urged Victorians to prepare their fire plans now.
Mr Lapsley said October will remain dry, with no rain forecast for the next few days or over the next few weeks of any significance.
He said about 190 properties were potentially under threat in the Lancefield fire.
He urged people to download the FireReady app.
Mr Lapsley said the Lancefield fire was burning last week, started again on the weekend and fire crews believed it was under control but went out of control again today with the extreme winds.
Mr Lapsley confirmed the Lancefield fire was a controlled burn that jumped containment lines last week.
He said it was in an area that was difficult to control and today’s conditions made it more difficult.
A specialised fire fighting helicopter was currently being deployed from Sydney to assist with the Lancefield fire.
It is expected to arrive in Victoria within the hour. This is the first time this helicopter has been used in Victoria.
SES crews are also dealing with about 200 incidents statewide as the usual warm weather hits Victoria early this year.
Premier Dan Andrews said it will be a very challenging fire season ahead.
He said the fire season had started earlier and would peak earlier.
He said lives would be saved if Victorians began their fire preparations now and not leave it until later in the year.
3.40pm:
Residents in Tonimbuk, Bunyip North, Garfield North, Labertouche, Longwarry North, Bunyip and Longwarry have been put on alert for a fast-moving grassfire.
The out-of-control blaze is moving quickly in a westerly direction from the Ellis Rd area.
The fire could impact any time between 3.25pm and 4.00pm.
There is an expected wind change in the next hour which may change the direction of the fire to the north east towards Labertouche.
3.30pm
There is a Watch and Act message for a fire near Strath Creek.
There is a small bushfire travelling fast in a westerly direction from Mt Hickey Fire Tower towards Strath Creek.
This bushfire is currently not yet under control.
A wind change is expected anytime between 4.00pm and 6.00pm, which will cause the fire to change directions towards Trawool and Kerrisdale.
The fire could impact properties between Mt Hickey Fire Tower and the King Parrott Road, Strath Creek anytime between 4.00pm and 6.00pm.
A wind change is expected around 4pm sending the Lancefield fire north-east towards Benloch and Nulla vale.
Spot fires and ember attack are starting up to 2.5km ahead of the main fire.
3.17pm
An alert has also been issued for a grassfire threatening Nar Nar Goon North, Maryknoll and Tynong North.
The small fire is not under control and is travelling quickly in an easterly direction from Pooley Rd towards Mortimer Rd.
The fire could impact any time between 2.50pm and 3.30pm, the CFA said.
2.45pm
There is also reported fire activity in the Gordon area near Ballarat with a fire not yet under control.
There is currently no threat to residents, but people have been asked to plan if the situation changes.
The CFA says smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads.
2.09pm
Residents in the Yellingbo area, east of Melbourne, have also been told to be on alert.
The CFA issued a warning about 2pm for residents in Yellingbo, Woori Yallock, Wandin East, Burleigh, Nangana, Hoddles Creek, and Macclesfield.
Firefighters are battling a small fire near Yellingbo-Macclesfield and Ewen roads.
2.03pm
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has now crossed Three Chain Road and is moving fast towards Lancefield, the CFA says.
The fast-moving out-of-control fire is about 50ha wide and is travelling in a south-easterly direction from Nudist Camp Track towards Maloneys Road and Lancefield.
There is a risk of spot fires and ember attacks up to 2.5km ahead of the main fire.
“You are now in immediate danger, act now to protect yourself,” a CFA warning message says.
“Emergency Services may not be able to help you.”
Earlier today:
A grass fire in Tyabb earlier today is being treated as suspicious while residents have told the Herald Sun a neighbour was burning off before the blaze.
A neighbour said she saw a man burning off at a Tyabb property before the blaze was reported just after 6.30am.
The grass fire which threatened a steel factory on Denham Road was brought under control about 9am after 30 crews battled the blaze.
The fire has been referred to police for investigation.
Firefighters are “biting their nails” as they brace for winds up to 100km/h on a day of total fire ban across most of Victoria.
The Country Fire Authority’s Gerard Scholten said crews worked to keep the grass fire in Tyabb under control ahead of a “strong, dry” wind change this afternoon.
A south westerly wind change will hit Melbourne about 3pm bringing gusts of up to 100km/h.
“We are biting our nails, we are on high alert for a pretty challenging day,” Mr Scholten said.
“It’s very early in the season for this to be happening.”
The wind gusts will be followed by a cool change, which is hoped to alleviate some pressure for firefighters.
Victoria’s firefighters were hit with multiple fires this morning with temperatures expected to reach 35C today.
Scrubfires were also fought by fire crews at Magpie, near Ballarat, and Woodend, 55km north of Melbourne.
Meanwhile, more than 100 firefighters spent the early hours of the morning battling a huge blaze in Mordialloc, which police have deemed suspicious.
Emergency services were called to the fire at the car restoration factory on Japaddy St at 2am.
It took firefighters almost two hours to bring under control and threatened a nearby plastics factory.
The damage bill has been estimated at about $1 million.
It comes less than 24 hours after 100 firefighters battled another suspicious blaze at a South Melbourne pub.
The Albion, owned by footballer Dane Swan, was believed set alight after masked thugs assaulted the building’s foreman.
A total fireban has been declared for the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, North Central, and Central areas.
An Extreme Fire Danger Rating has been announced for Mallee and North Central districts.
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