Grampians bushfire fears grow as searing heat, high winds loom

Residents in Victoria’s west have been urged to remain on high alert in coming days as firefighters fear two large bushfires may merge amid “heatwave-like conditions”.

Residents in Victoria’s west have been warned to remain on high alert as fears grow that two large bushfires may merge.

Hot and windy weather, with temperatures of 37C, is forecast for the weekend, and emergency services say the risk of dry lightning on Sunday could cause very dangerous conditions.

Two large fires in the western side of the national park were ignited by dry lightning on Monday.

Fire crews say they are not confident they can have containment lines around the fires by Sunday and fear there is a risk of more dry lightning as temperatures soar.

Locals have been urged to monitor conditions.

This Watch & Act - Bushfire - Monitor Conditions As They Are Changing is being issued for Big Cord, Strachans, Victoria Valley.

The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.

More details at https://t.co/jl4UdG3fXKpic.twitter.com/YM62g2fdv3

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 30, 2025

Watch & Act - Bushfire - Monitor Conditions As They Are Changing for Glenisla, Hynes, and the eastern side of Rocklands

The fire has crossed the Henty Highway north of Woohlpooer.

The bushfire is slowly moving in a northerly direction.

More details at https://t.co/ywpvvpEaaRpic.twitter.com/57ENj4UJ6V

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 30, 2025

State Control Centre spokesperson Reegan Key said the fires — one in Zumsteins and one in Victoria Valley — were in “very remote, steep and difficult country”.

“The use of aircraft and back burning is one of the key strategies to be able to bring these fires under control,” Ms Key said on Tuesday morning.

“Firefighters are working with bulldozers where they can and trying to bring the fire out to containment lines so it doesn’t have the ability to gain momentum and spread when conditions change with northerly winds on Monday.

“With three major fires now in the Grampians National Park in the last month, we want to recognise the anxiety and impacts these fires are having on the community themselves, but also the traditional owners of this country.

“With warm conditions already in the west and more hot weather over the weekend and into next week, we’re asking communities to just stay informed and monitor conditions.”

Thursday coverage

On Thursday, Grampians residents were urged to “leave now” as fires continued to spread in several directions.

Residents in the Glenisla, Mooralla, Rocklands and Woohlpooer region, about 360km west of Melbourne, were warned to leave as soon as they could after a bushfire 18km northeast of the suburb of Cavendish remained out of control.

Emergency services confirmed the fire was expected to affect private land on the western edge at various points between Hoffmans and Woohlpooer roads.

The northwest edge of the blaze had crossed Billywing Track and is heading towards the Henty Highway.

As a result, the Henty Highway was closed from Cavendish to Horsham.

With temperatures set to rise once again on Saturday, there is concern that the fires may burn for longer and cause more damage to homes and property.

Residents in Mona Park, Strachans and Victoria Valley have also been told to evacuate as a bushfire in the Grampians National Park remains out of control.

The fires grew in size overnight on Wednesday and continued to spread in several directions.

Emergency services have warned locals to remain on high alert and activate their fire survival plans. Picture: CFA/Ross Walker

A fire 9km west of Halls Gap sparked a “Watch and Act” warning for Brimpaen, Wartook and Zumsteins.

The fire had crossed Asses Ears Rd and was travelling in a northerly direction towards Rosebrook Glenisla Rd.

Residents have been warned that bushfires can spread quickly and can start spot fires distances ahead of the main fire.

Emergency services have urged locals to enact their fire survival plans.

EMERGENCY WARNING - BUSHFIRE - Leave Immediately - Glenisla, Mooralla, Rocklands.

More details at https://t.co/6b3AM0dEvG

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

Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay. pic.twitter.com/OVHoJ9AGBd

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 29, 2025

Air quality, particularly north of the Grampians National Park, is poor due to severe smoke.

Authorities have confirmed the smoke is likely to persist and can travel long distances, even if the immediate area is unaffected by a bushfire.

Locals have been urged to minimise the amount of time spent outdoors.

CFA spokeswoman Reegan Key on Thursday said that the fires had been “erratic”.

“The recent fires started by dry lightning have been affected by tricky winds and very dry conditions.” she said.

There are concerns over a rise in temperatures with the state experiencing “heatwave-like conditions from Sunday onwards.”

“At this stage we are not expecting significant wind but warmer conditions are always more difficult to work with.”

“The communities involved are incredible, they always work together and support one another.”

Ms Key urged residents to remember that it was critical to keep up to date with local radio and news updates despite the milder weather conditions today.

“There are still another four to six weeks of this type of weather to go — being in the middle of summer. Always stay informed about fire danger conditions across the state.”

More extreme weather is looming next week with the state bracing for temperatures of 37C.

Originally published as Grampians bushfire fears grow as searing heat, high winds loom