Residents ordered to stay indoors while fire burns out of control

Residents have been told it’s “now too dangerous to leave”, as an out-of-control fire rips through a regional Victorian town.

Residents in regional Victoria have been told it is too late to leave and ordered to shelter indoors as a large out-of-control grass fire tears across Flowerdale, north of Melbourne.

“If you have not already left, the time to safely evacuate has now passed,” the CFA said in a statement issued at 2.18am on Wednesday.

The fire is out of control. Picture: Twitter @tdolling.

“Take shelter indoors immediately.

“It is now too dangerous to leave.”

Firefighters and aircraft are working in the area to tame the blaze, which is moving in a northerly direction from Spring Valley Rd and has since crossed Carver Creek towards Yea Spur Rd.

Aerial water bombing was conducted overnight. Picture: Twitter @tdolling

The fire, which was first reported at 2.40pm on Tuesday, has already grown to more than 717ha in size as of 7.30am on Wednesday.

More than 50 CFA units have since responded to the fire, which is in “steep and inaccessible country, spreading into forested areas to the north”.

Trees alongside a road in Flowerdale are well alight. Picture: Twitter @tdolling

So far there have been no confirmed losses of homes, while aerial firefighting continues to assist firefighters on the ground.

While some impacts to fencing and sheds have been confirmed, “the extent of the damage is not yet known”.

Residents have been ordered to shelter indoors. Picture: Vic Emergency

Residents trapped in the area have been urged to:

• Bring pets indoors;

• Close all exterior doors, windows and vents;

• Turn off cooling systems;

• Take shelter before the fire arrives – the extreme heat is likely cause harm well before the flames arrive;

• Shelter in a room with two exits, such as a door or window, including one directly to the outside – it is important to be able to see out outside to know what is happening with the fire; and

• If the house catches on fire and conditions inside become unbearable, get out and go to an area that is already burned.

More than 50 firefighters are on the ground in Flowerdale. Picture: Twitter @tdolling

If getting indoors is not possible, last-resort options include sheltering in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock or football oval, getting into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, ocean or in-ground pool, and trying to protect yourself from the fire’s heat.

Use multiple sources to stay informed:

• www.emergency.vic.gov.au

• VicEmergency Hotline – freecall 1800 226 226

• VicEmergency app

• Facebook or Twitter (#vicfires)