General News
20 December, 2024
Halls Gap, Pomonal, Lake Fyans residents told to leave as bushfire moves north
Grampians National Park is closed as the bushfire burns 19,407ha.
Update 11pm: Pomonal and Lake Fyans residents have been told to evacuate the area immediately.
The fire activity is being driven by a southerly wind.
The fire has crossed Redman Road and is moving towards Lake Bellfield.
Another front is travelling northerly direction towards Mt William.
A relief centre is open at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre at 1 Waratah Avenue.
Update 10.30pm: Halls Gap and Bellfield residents have been told to evacuate as the Grampians National Park bushfire moves north.
Emergency services said the bushfire was moving towards Halls Gap towards Lake Bellfield. A second front is moving towards Mount William.
Residents of Bornes Hill, Jimmy Creek, Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley are again being told to prepare to leave if conditions worsen.
A community meeting is planned for Saturday, December 21, at 11am at Pomonal Community Hall on Ararat-Halls Gap Road.
Conditions permitting, a subsequent meeting is planned for Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 1pm at Halls Gap Centenary Hall at 115 Grampians Road, Halls Gap.
Almost 20,000 hectares of land have burnt since December 17.
Update 7pm: residents of Pomonal, Halls Gap, Barton, Bellfield, Jallukur and Londonderry have been told to monitor conditions as the Grampians National Park continues to burn.
The Grampians National Park is now closed to the public as emergency services battle the blaze.
Update 5.30pm: Firefighters continue to battle the Grampians National Bushfire as it edges closer to Mafeking.
More than 13600ha has burnt since December 17, including more than 600ha on December 20.
Smoke is visible as far as Ballarat and Caramut with ash falling consistently in Stawell.
A relief centre is open at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre at 1 Waratah Avenue.
Earlier: Residents of Mafeking and Watgania were told to evacuate immediately as the Grampians National Park bushfire continued to burn.
Emergency services said the blaze is travelling from the Grampians National Park in an easterly direction towards Watgania and Mafeking and could reach the communities within the next hour.
"Leaving immediately is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous," the warning reads.
"Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay."
The communities of Barton, Moyston, Willaura and Willaura North are being warned to stay alert.
The northern end of the bushfire continues to burn north in the Serra Range and toward the Major Mitchell Plateau, while the southern end of the bushfire continues to burn toward Bornes Hill.
A south-westerly change is expected in the early afternoon and will shift the fire to the north east.
Burning operations conducted today may create increased smoke.
More than 90 vehicles are responding to the bushfire that started around 1pm on Tuesday, December 17.
It has burnt more than 10,100 Ha of bushland and private land.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.