General News
26 December, 2024
Some residents allowed to return as out-of-control Grampians bushfire burns
The bushfire is the size of Singapore, covering more than 75,000ha.
Update, December 27, 3.30pm: As evacuation warnings are downgraded, some residents are allowed to return to their homes.
Communities on the eastern side of the Grampians National Park from Lake Fyans to Dunkeld, including Moyston and Willaura were told it was safe to return to the area.
However, as the bushfire is not yet under control, they were warned to monitor conditions and be ready to act.
Traffic management points are in place allowing residents only to access properties and to check on livestock.
Residents will need to provide proof of address to access past the traffic management points.
Just before 3pm, the threat warning for residents in Great Western, Ararat and east of Maroona and Tatyoon was reduced.
The Glenelg Highway was reopened between Wickliffe and Dunkeld.
Mirranatwa, Victoria Point and Victoria Valley communities were told to remain vigilant, as there may be increased fire activity in the area.
A powercor spokesperson said crews have been working closely with emergency service agencies to safely gain access to parts of the electricity network to assess the fire damage and continue restoration work.
"Since this morning, we have been able to restore power to a further 110 customers in the Moyston township," the spokesperson said.
"Power supply remains affected to about 200 customers within the Willaura, Moyston, Pomonal, Mafeking, Borneo Hill, Maroona and Glenthompson areas."
ACM, including reporters from The Wimmera Mail-Times and The Courier, is bringing you the latest updates.
Update, December 27, 1pm: Deputy Premier Ben Carroll said the bushfire is the size of Singapore, covering more than 75,000ha with a 300km perimeter.
He held a press conference at 12pm to announce hardship payment grants for communities affected by the Grampians bushfire.
"It's been an extremely tough time for Victorians through this period," he said.
"That's why we will wrap our arms around Victorians impacted by the bushfires, our communities, and our councils today."
Update, December 27, 11.30am State Control Centre spokesman Luke Hegarty said there was some good news for firefighters.
"After yesterday's significant fire danger across the state, we are seeing much more settled conditions starting to arrive in Victoria today," he said.
"We're already seeing the cooler temperatures and the increased relative humidity, and whilst we will see some gustier West to southwesterly winds throughout the day, we do expect for them to reduce as the day goes on.
"By tomorrow, we're expecting to see very settled conditions, which is great news for our firefighters as they continue their work to control the fire in the Grampians National Park."
Update, December 27, 9.30am: Overnight, locals welcomed some light rain; however, it did little to affect the 70,000-hectare bushfire.
The cool change gave firefighters some solace as they battled the bushfire conditions since 2019's Black Summer.
Unfortunately, dangerous fire conditions are expected to continue into Saturday.
Barton, Jallukar, Jimmy Creek, Kia Ora, Londonderry, Mafeking, Moyston, Watgania and Willaura North communities are still battling the blaze this morning after crews fought the bushfire overnight.
The bushfire is travelling from Grampians National Park in an easterly direction; strong west-southwest winds are expected to sustain over the weekend.
East of the firefront, the townships of Cathcart, Denicull Creek, Langi Logan, Maroona, Norval, Rocky Point, Rossbridge and Tatyoon are on high alert.
Firefighters, heavy machinery and aircraft remain in the area to create firebreaks and hold off the bushfire.
Residents of Bornes Hill, Dunkeld and Glenthompson were told it was not safe to return yesterday after the southern flank of the bushfire roared through the area.
While the firefront has not moved north overnight, residents of Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, and Halls Gap were told to avoid the area.
An evacuation warning remains for Bellellen, Black Range and Pomonal residents
Warnings were downgraded for residents in Stawell, Ararat, Black Range, Cathcart, Deep Lead, Denciull Creek, Garden Gully, Glenorchy, Langi Logan, Norval, Rocky Point, and Welshmans Point; however, Armstrong and Great Western communities should monitor conditions.
Residents of Fyans Creek, Glenisla, Lake Lonsdale, Ledcourt, Mokepilly, Mount Dryden, Roses Gap, Wartook and Zumsteins also received downgraded warnings.
Thousands of residents were without power as the strong winds toppled powerlines in the area.
There are three relief centres in operation:
Ararat at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre (1 Waratah Ave, Ararat)
Stawell at Grampians Community Health (22 Patrick Street Stawell).
Hamilton at Monivae College (133 Ballarat Road, Hamilton).
Anyone can register with the Red Cross via the Register.Find.Reunite so your family and friends can find you.
There are several roads closed to the general public. Visit traffic.transport.vic.gov.au for updates.
Previous, December 26, 5.30pm: Residents remaining in Halls Gap, Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing and Grampians Junction were advised to take shelter.
The fire crossed Sundial Road at about 4.30pm. It is too late to leave the area safely so you must take shelter now.
The communities of Bellellen, Bellfield, Black Range, Borough Huts, Fyans Creek, Illawarra, Lake Fyans, Lake Lonsdale, Ledcourt, Mokepilly, Mount Dryden, Pomonal, Roses Gap have been told to 'Leave Immediately' as the bushfire moves north-east towards Lake Lonsdale.
There is also a 'Leave Immediately' warning for Langi Logan, Maroona, Mininera, Nerrin Nerrin, Rossbridge, Streatham, Tatyoon, Tatyoon North and Westmere.
This evening, erratic winds of up to 90km/h are expected, and high temperatures are expected to increase fire activity.
State Control Centre spokesman Luke Hegarty said emergency services saw significant fire development in the afternoon.
"We've seen the expansion of the fire to the southeast this morning and early this afternoon, with the northwesterly winds," he said.
"Now we're seeing parts of the fire ground become affected by wind change moving through."
Mr Hegarty said there are six emergency warnings in place within the Grampians National Park.
Relief centres remain open in Ararat at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre (1 Waratah Ave, Ararat) and Stawell at Grampians Community Health (22 Patrick Street Stawell).
A third relief centre has opened south of the bushfire at Monivae College, 133 Ballarat Road, Hamilton.
Anyone can register with the Red Cross via the Register.Find.Reunite so your family and friends can find you.
Update 1.50pm: The Watch and Act warning for Dunkeld, Glenthompson, Narrapumelap and Wickliffe residents has been updated due to increased fire activity north of Strathmore.
Relief centres remain open in Ararat at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre (1 Waratah Ave, Ararat) and Stawell at Grampians Community Health (22 Patrick Street Stawell).
A third relief centre has opened south of the bushfire at Monivae College, 133 Ballarat Road, Hamilton.
Anyone can register with Red Cross via the Register.Find.Reunite so your family and friends can find you.
Earlier: Residents south of Pomonal and Strathmore have been told to leave immediately as strong winds push the Grampians National Park bushfire south.
In Pomonal, the bushfire is travelling from Grampians National Park in a southerly direction towards Redman Road and Long Gully Road.
At the southern end of the national park, the northerly winds pushed the blaze towards Wannon River just east of Dunkeld with spot fires igniting around the North Boundary Road area.
Dunkeld, Glenthompson, Narrapumelap, Stavely and Wickliffe residents are on high alert as the bushfire moves outside of the national park.
High temperatures and strong winds are expected to continue which will cause increased fire activity and smoke.
As people leave the area, note that the Glenelg Highway is closed from Dunkeld to Wickliffe.
The bushfire has burned since December 17 and has covered almost 54,000 hectares.