General News
22 December, 2024
Welcome rain slows spread of Grampians bushfire; Mafeking warning downgraded
The Grampians National Park bushfire has burnt almost 39,000ha.
Update 9.20pm: Favourable weather conditions and light rain over the bushfire area in the past hour have slowed the spread of the firefront.
The 'leave now' warning for Barton, Mafeking and Watgania has been downgraded to 'Watch and Act'.
A similar 'Watch and Act' warning was issued for residents of Bellellen, Black Range, Great Western, Jallukar, Lake Fyans, Londonderry, Moyston, Rhymney and Willaura North.
Fyans Creek, Lake Lonsdale, Ledcourt, Mokepilly and Mount Dryden residents should stay vigilant.
Update 7.30pm: Barton, Mafeking, Moyston and Watgania residents have been told to leave as the Grampians bushfire moves around Mount William.
The fire is travelling in a northeast direction and is now spotting into areas between Spears and College roads
The bushfire could impact Mafeking, Watgania and areas west of the Moyston township in the next two hours.
The following townships have been told to prepare to leave: Bellellen, Black Range, Great Western, Jallukar, Lake Fyans, Londonderry, Moyston, Pomonal, Rhymney, Willaura and Willaura North.
It is not safe to return to Halls Gap, Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek or Grampians Junction.
Update 6pm: Residents of Fyans Creek, Lake Lonsdale, Ledcourt, Mokepilly and Mount Dryden are strongly recommended to prepare to leave.
A Watch and Act message was issued by VicEmergency, alerting the communities northeast of Halls Gap.
The Grampians National Park bushfire is not yet under control and is travelling from Glenelg River Rd in a north-easterly direction
Bornes Hill, Jimmy Creek, Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley residents were told to monitor conditions.
Almost 39,000ha of land has been burnt since December 17.
Update 5pm: Mafeking and Watgania residents were once again told to leave immediately as the out-of-control blaze moves east.
The bushfire could impact the areas in the next two hours.
Barton, Jallukar, Londonderry, Moyston and Willaura North residents were told to prepare to leave.
"Leave as soon as you are ready, as roads will become busy as people leave," the warning read.
Relief centres are open in Ararat at Alexandra Oval Community Centre at 1 Waratah Avenue, and in Stawell at Grampians Community Health, at 22 Patrick Street.
Update 11.30am: The 'Leave now' warning for Halls Gap has been downgraded; however, authorities warned it is not safe to return to the area.
VicEmergency said that those who left the Halls Gap, Bellfield Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek and Grampians Junction townships should not return home until a Safe to Return notification is issued.
Earlier: More than 300 firefighters are racing to control the Grampians National Park bushfire before temperatures increase later this week.
The bushfire has burnt more than 36,000 hectares since it ignited about 23km north of Dunkeld on December 17.
Despite team members from Forest Fire Management Victoria, CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria battling the blaze, emergency services say it could take weeks to contain the fire.
It was another blow for tourism business owners hoping to recoup losses after COVID-19 and a shortened holiday season following the February 13 bushfires.
Incident controller Aaron Kennedy said the blaze burnt in very steep, dry terrain.
"Our ability to fight this fire directly is quite challenging," he said.
Mr Kennedy said the fire risk was expected to spike on Thursday when a maximum temperature of 39C and windy conditions were forecast for the area.
"This will mean that we'll see again, potentially significant fire behaviour, and then increased growth of the fire across the landscape," he said.
"Our crews are working really hard to try and contain this fire prior to the Boxing Day weather event."
Southerly winds pushed the main firefront north towards Lake Bellfield and the Major Mitchell Plateau, forcing Parks Victoria to close the national park to visitors.
Halls Gap, Bellfield and Fyans Creek residents were told to leave immediately.
The warning for Pomonal and Lake Fyans residents to leave was downgraded, but it was strongly recommended that those remaining in the area be prepared to go.
Communities near Wartook are advised to be vigilant as the firefront moves along the eastern wall.
Bornes Hill, Jimmy Creek, Mirranatwa, Victoria Valley, Barton, Jallukur and Londonderry residents were told to stay vigilant as conditions change.
While the fire threat is lower, Mafeking and Watgania residents were told it was unsafe to return.
Relief centres are open in Ararat and Stawell.
Recordings of the December 21 community meetings are available from https://www.facebook.com/VicEmergencyGrampians.
Check the VicTraffic website for road closures.
- with AAP