Bushfire: Evacuation orders for Dimboola, Wail and Pimpinio

A bushfire that started in the Little Desert National Park is burning towards Dimboola with residents urged to evacuate immediately.

It is too late to leave for many Wimmera families, as new warnings have been issued late into Monday evening.

VicEmergency issued a take shelter warning just before 9pm Monday for Gerang Gerung, Kinimakatka, Lawloit, Winiam, Winiam East, Dimboola, Kiata and Little Desert residents.

It comes after a fire started in the Little Desert National Park has reached more than 80,000ha burnt, and started moving in a northerly direction.

The recent Grampians fire burnt 76,000ha.

There were reports late on Monday the fire had destroyed the Little Desert Nature Lodge.

Those affected residents must seek shelter immediately. People should wear long sleeves and trousers with pure cotton or wool, and leather boots for protection.

People seeking shelter should find shelter in a room with two exits and a window showing outdoors, bring pets inside, close exterior doors, vents and windows, and turn off cooling systems.

If they are unable to be indoors, they must shelter in a large open area or enter a large body of water. 

The warning stretches to just south of Nhill, which remains under a “stay informed” warning.

Dimboola residents were ordered to evacuate at 7pm on Monday with a “dynamic fire that is spreading rapidly” from the Little Desert National Park.

The evacuation order was made around 7pm as the fire that started from a lightning strike earlier in the day and travelled in an easterly direction towards the Wimmera township following a late afternoon wind change.

A relief centre was opened at Horsham Senior Citizens Centre.

“This is an active and dynamic fire that is spreading rapidly and is likely to extend further,” the VicEmergency Facebook page said.

Dimboola residents were urged to leave via the Borung Highway and head towards Warracknabeal and turn right on the Blue Ribbon road towards Horsham.

Wail and Pimpinio were also being urged to evacuate.

The fire started in the Little Desert National Park and on private property nearby from ligtnighing strikes.

#CFA#VicFires (27/1/25)EMERGENCY WARNING little desert it covers dimboola and pimpinio and the western highway
its evacuate leave now
will share details asap pic.twitter.com/bqQu0bcmL9

— Incidents World Wide (@IncidentWorld) January 27, 2025

Lawloit farmer Alan Bennett said a wind change hit the area about 4.30pm.

“That same area burnt from lightning strikes 10 years ago,” he said.

“It’s amazing how quickly the fuel gets there again.

“But the fire bombers are here and they are doing a fantastic job.

“The conditions have been terrible here today.

“The wind has swung mainly from the west, but hasn’t gone around to the southwest when it will impact on the open country.”

The temperature at Dimboola peaked at 42C at 3.35pm on Monday with winds gusting to 65km/hour at 1.44pm, according to the BOM.

It was even hotter in Mildura (44.2C), Hopetoun (44C), Swan Hill (43.9C), Walpeup (43.7C) and Charlton (42.7C).

EARLIER COVERAGE

Many parts of Victoria that recorded below average rainfall in 2024 are facing a tough start to the new year with ongoing dry conditions and soaring summer temperatures.

Mildura, Ouyen, Swan Hill and Birchip are all headed for 40C-plus temperatures on Monday with another blast of similar type conditions forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

Hopetoun in the Mallee has had only 4.2mm for January to date after 234mm or 80 per cent of its annual rainfall last year.

It’s a similar story in central Victoria.

Charlton has recorded 4.6mm for January following 325mm or 77 per of its annual rainfall.

Bendigo has had 10mm this month to date.

In western Victoria, Horsham and Stawell, which had below average rainfall in 2024, have had 15.6mm and 14mm as January draws to a close.

Riverina rice grower Rob Massina. Pic Supplied by SunRice

The Little Desert is up and running after a lightning strike. Should be a good test for the break that was put in along the Nhill Harrow road. Interesting if it gets over that once the westerly arrives. pic.twitter.com/xMrqh8mmhs

— Marty Colbert (@colbert_marty) January 27, 2025

In NSW, Deniliquin has had 3mm for January and north of Finley, at Logie Brae, farmer Rob Massina, who grows cotton and rice, said the season so far had been in the top four warmest years in 30 years for rice growers.

“It’s going to get to 43C today,” he said on Monday.

“It will be warm enough, but it is ideal weather for rice crops.

“We can’t always plan things, but Mother Nature is delivering what we need for summer crops.”

Lightning strikes have kicked off a fire in the Little Desert National Park in western Victoria. Picture: VicEmergency Facebook

In northern NSW at Moree, Matthew Madden said sorghum crops were looking good, but dryland cotton was in urgent need of rain.

“There was a band of rain that came through earlier in the month, and some places got 200mm to 300mm,” he said.

“But a lot of places missed out.”

Thunderstorms have already been observed across parts of #Vic this morning. From afternoon, there is a risk of SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS about central and eastern districts. Thunderstorms may produce damaging wind gusts. Warnings will be issued if required: https://t.co/HLs2UYFQyQpic.twitter.com/dmMXkdBPFQ

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) January 27, 2025

For January so far, according to BOM Queensland townships of Old Cashmere recorded 110mm, St George 62mm, Dirranbandi, 49.6mm across the border in northern NSW, Croppa Creek, 113.4mm, Coonamble, 98mm, Moree has had 18.8mm.

It was 39C at noon on Monday in Mildura, Hopetoun and Walpeup with a risk of severe thunderstorms for central and eastern parts of Victoria.

Hot temperatures are going to persist in the north all week with back-to-back scorchers on Saturday and Sunday with Ouyen forecast to hit 40C and 42C on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Mildura is forecast to hit 39C on Saturday before climbing to 42C on Sunday.