General News
27 January, 2025
'Leave Now' says CFA as Southern Grampians fire continues to burn
Grampians north and south threatened by bushfire.
Update 12:00pm, Tuesday January 28: The CFA is issuing an expanded watch and act warning for the fire burning in the Grampians south.
The warning is being issued for the Victoria Range in the Grampians National Park from Bullawin Road to Billywing Road, in the Goat Track area.
It is advising anyone in the are to leave now.
The not yet controlled fire is travelling from Strachans, in the Victoria Range in a northerly direction towards Mt Thackeray and has already burned 180ha of land.
The CFA says leaving now is the safest option, conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
8.18pm: Residents of Cranage and Zumsteins were told to leave as several spot fires burn throughout the north of the Grampians.
There is a bushfire in the areas near Asses Ears Road, Taylors Track and Launders Track in the northern part of the Grampians National Park that is not yet under control.
It is moving in a north easterly direction.
The fires is said to have started after lightning strikes in the area.
8pm: The CFA has issued an evacuation warning for Strachans in the Southern Grampians as not yet controlled fires burn in multiple areas of the national park.
The fire threatening Strachan is burning at Victoria Valley and travelling in a north-westerly direction towards Strachans.
Strachans could be impacted from the early morning and people in the area are being told to leave immediately.
Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley are being advised to stay informed.
Travel to:
The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
You should leave tonight in a Westerly direction on Glenelg River Road towards Woohlpooer or in an Easterly direction on Jensens Road towards Mirranatwa. Do not leave using Bullawin Road
When you leave remember to take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
In the car:
If you are travelling, do not enter the area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety.
Slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
If you are unable to leave you should shelter indoors:
Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. Turn off cooling systems.
You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you.
Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
If you cannot get indoors, other last resort options include:
Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
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If you are caught in fire in your car:
Park behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to cleared area.
Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
Close all windows.
Turn off the air-conditioning and shut all the air vents.
Turn your car engine off.
Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a pure woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area:
Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
Embers are starting small fires ahead of the main fire.
Trees can be extremely dangerous during a bushfire or high winds. Do not stand, park or travel in areas of fire affected trees.
Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
Earlier: The CFA has issued warnings advising people in Zumsteins, Brimpaen, Flat Rock Crossing and Cranage to stay informed as fires threaten the Grampians National Park.
The fires in areas near Asses Ears Road, Taylors Track and Launders Track in the north of the national park are not yet under control.
The fires started after lightning strikes in the area.
There is currently no threat to communities, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
These warnings come on the same day the CFA crews battle a major blaze in the Little Desert National Park that has burned over 23,000ha of land.
That fire threatens the Western Highway corridor north of Horsham and an evacuation warning has been issued for Dimboola, Wail and Pimpinio.
What you should do:
Monitor weather conditions and warnings.
Review your fire survival plan.
If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.
Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond.
Impacts in your area:
Firefighters are responding to this fire.
Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and roads.
Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.