‘Do not return’: Residents urged not to return if they’re away amid an out-of-control bushfire in Victoria’s southwest

Residents have been warned not to return home if they’re away as an out of control bushfire has burned through more than 7000 hectares of land.

Residents have been urged to “not return” home if they are away as an out-of-control bushfire has torn through more than 7600 ha of land in Victoria’s southwest.

Victoria Emergency issued a watch and act message for residents in Bornes Hill, Grampians, Jimmy Creek, Mirranatwa, and Victoria Valley just before 8pm on Thursday amid a bushfire at Grampians National Park on Yarram Gap Road.

The bushfire is not yet under control and is burning in a north-easterly direction in the Serra Range and in a southerly towards Victoria Valley and Bornes Hill.

Residents have been urged to monitor the situation and prepare to leave immediately.

“Leave as soon as you are ready, as roads will become busy as people leave,” the alert stated.

“Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can mean the situation is worsening.

“Protect yourself and your family.

“If you are not prepared, leave now. Don’t wait until it is too late – leave early.

“If you are away from home, do not return.”

Residents have been urged to pack cash, clothing and medicine for three days, phones and chargers, toiletries, important documents, meaningful items and photos as well as pet essentials including a leash and carriers.

Residents have been urged to 'watch and act' following a bushfire. Picture: Victoria Emergency.

A watch and act has also been issued for Woodland Close, The Gurdies in relation to a separate fire.

The alert, also issued about 8pm on Thursday, warned “the situation can change at any time”.

“The bushfire is travelling from Sand Supplies in The Gurdies towards Woodland Close off Gurdies St Helier Road,” the alert stated.

“Firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now, but the situation can change at any time.

“You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.”

A relief centre has been opened at 14 Sterling Place in Dunkeld.

“The Relief Centre is currently not staffed but (is) still open,” the alert stated.

“If in attendance and require assistance from the Southern Grampians Shire please phone the number provided at the centre.

“Victoria Police can also be contacted via the Hamilton Police 24 hour number posted onsite.”

Those in the Barton, Kia Ora, Mafeking, Moyston, Watgania, Willaura, Willaura North, Cabbage Tree, Dean, Wattle Flat, Chapel Flat, Clarkes Hill, Glen Park and Springmount have been told to “stay informed“.

The threat has been reduced for those in Dartmoor, Killara and Hotspur with people in those areas able to “resume normal activities”.

WATCH & ACT - BUSHFIRE - Prepare to Leave

Incident Location: Grampians National Park - Yarram Gap Road

More details at https://t.co/tc3jr2WUoV

This Watch and Act message is being issued for Bornes Hill, Grampians, Jimmy Creek, Mirranatwa, Victoria Valley. pic.twitter.com/kioFutf5FS

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) December 19, 2024

The latest advice follows a warning just after 2am on Thursday for those in Big Cord, Grampians, Mirranatwa and Jimmy Creek.

The alert stated a bushfire at Grampians National Park on Yarram Gap Rd was not under control.

The fire was crossing Henham Track near the Victoria Valley Rd, while a private property in the Mirranatwa had been impacted.

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesperson said the fire had already burned through 5400 hectares of land as of 8.20am on Thursday.

“Currently, there’s just over 180 personnel on the ground working on that alongside aircraft,” the spokesperson said.

“There are seven aircraft responding.

“(It’s) not yet under control … We don’t have any reports of property loss at this stage.”

Residents have been urged to 'leave immediately'. Picture: Victoria Emergency.

Grampians Rd had been closed from Silverband Road to the southern Victoria Valley Rd intersection, while Victoria Valley Rd was closed at the Victoria Point intersection.

Yarram Gap Rd was also closed from Grampians Rd to Moyston-Dunkeld Rd.

Residents were urged to leave on Thursday.

“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” the alert stated.

“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”

This EMERGENCY WARNING - BUSHFIRE - Leave Immediately is for Big Cord, Grampians, Mirranatwa, Jimmy Creek.

Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.

More details at https://t.co/d3zViG5Ztnpic.twitter.com/vjX1OidBlq

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) December 18, 2024

The alert also reminded people to ensure they take pets, medications, phones and chargers with them.

Those unable to leave were urged to stay inside and close all doors, windows, vents, and turn off cooling systems.

“You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you,” the alert stated.

“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.”

The area has experienced bushfires in the past. Picture: Jason Edwards

Pomonal, near the Grampians National Park, was ravaged by a bushfire earlier in the year. Picture: Jason Edwards

Victoria Emergency recommended sheltering in the middle of a large open area such as a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve for those unable to get inside.

Entering a large body of water, including a dam, lake, river, the ocean or in-ground pool are other options.

The National Council for Fire and Emergency Services earlier warned that the central Northern Territory, portions of regional NSW, most of southern and western Victoria, the bushland around Adelaide and vast stretches of Western Australia had an increased risk of bushfires this summer.

The AFAC’s 2024 summer bushfire outlook, released in November, indicated increased risk for most of Victoria’s west and areas of the northeast, southwest Gippsland, including the Mornington Peninsula, and greater Melbourne.

“The current level of landscape dryness in these areas is strong enough that without significant rainfall, the flammability of fuels in forests, woodlands and heathlands will remain high with elevated potential for fires to start and spread,” the report stated.

“Grasslands in these areas have superficial green-up, concealing underlying dryness (known as ‘green drought’).

“Curing is likely to advance earlier than normal in these areas.”

Originally published as ‘Do not return’: Residents urged not to return if they’re away amid an out-of-control bushfire in Victoria’s southwest