Grampians National Park bushfire now ‘size of Singapore’ as homes abandoned

The Victorian Premier has had some choice words for her constituents as a fire which is estimated to be ‘the size of Singapore’ continues to raze the state.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has warned her constituents “Don’t be a d**khead” as a bushfire that’s estimated to be “the size of Singapore” continues to burn across the state.

Speaking to ABC Mornings on Friday, Ms Allen warned the fire “was only just beginning”.

“It is important, particularly during the holiday season when there’s a lot of people on the move, to follow the advice and follow the rules,” Ms Allan said.

“Don’t be – as I said – a d**khead, on total fire ban days. It can put people’s lives at risk.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen told residents to be cautious. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Ms Allan’s warning to Victorians. Picture: Twitter / X

Bushfires in Victoria’s west that are estimated to have reached “the size of Singapore” could continue to burn for weeks, authorities warn.

The blaze near the Grampians National Park has now torn through more than 75,000 hectares of land, of which about 15,000 was private property.

Victoria’s emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent said on Friday that while fire would keep burning, the work of over 6000 fire fighters meant some residents could now return.

“(The fire) will continue to burn for weeks as the wind continues to change over the coming days and weeks,” Mr Nugent said.

“The good news is all emergency warnings have now been downgraded to watch and act, and it is likely now that the residents of Moyston, Pomonal, and Willaura will have permission to return to their homes this afternoon.

“We are not yet aware of any residential properties that have been lost, although it is possible.

Residents in some areas have been told to take shelter and prepare for the worst. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

The fire is expected to continue burning for weeks. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

“There’s also been livestock losses, crop losses, powerlines and all the environmental damage that has occurred as a result.”

He said one of the fire-damaged telecommunications towers had been restored, but that a second used by Optus and the NBN remained offline.

Speaking at the state’s emergency command centre on Friday afternoon, emergency services minister Vicki Ward announced that personal hardship grants will be available for residents living in council areas affected by the fires.

The grants of $380 per child and $680 per adult can be accessed by residents of affected local governments areas by calling the Vic Emergency hotline.

Communities in Bellellen, Pomonal, and Black Range were told on Friday morning to leave their areas immediately.

Four relief centres have been established in Ararat at the Alexander Community Oval and at Grampians Community Health in Stawell.

Firefighters fill their tankers to continue their work in containing the outbreaks of spotfires near Glenthompson. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

The ABC reported on Friday morning that representatives of the State Control Centre now estimated the blaze – which has expanded from 6000 hectares to 74,000 within a week – was “somewhere around the size of Singapore”.

Hundreds of homes in Moyston, Willaura and Pomonal have also lost power after the fire devastated crucial components of the region’s network.

A spokesman for Powercor said 363 customers in the region are currently without electricity.

“We are working with emergency service agencies to safely gain access to the area to allow us to assess the damage and conduct repairs,” he said.

Some telephone communications have also been disrupted or cut off after the Mt Williams communications tower was destroyed on Boxing Day. 

The fire has burned more than 75,000 hectares to date. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Hundreds of firefighters sacrificed their Christmas to battle the blaze. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Victoria Police said in a statement on Friday morning that while it was aware of reports of looting in fire-impacted areas circulating online, it had not received any reports of that type of offending.

“Public Order Response Team members have been deployed to the fire zones to assist the local police response to the ongoing emergency situation,” the statement read.

“Their duties include conducting patrols of areas where residents have left their homes to deter any criminal activity such as looting.”

It comes after more than 600 firefighters – including roughly 100 backup personnel from interstate – sacrificed their Christmas to protect homes in the region.

Originally published as Grampians National Park bushfire now ‘size of Singapore’ as homes abandoned