‘Leave immediately’: Warning to residents over out-of-control bushfire in Victoria’s southwest

Residents have been urged to “leave immediately” as an out-of-control bushfire in Victoria’s southwesthas burned through more than 5000 hectares of land.

Victoria Emergency issued a warning just after 2am on Thursday for those in Big Cord, Grampians, Mirranatwa and Jimmy Creek.

The alert stated a bushfire at Grampians National Park on Yarram Gap Rd is not under control.

The fire is crossing Henham Track near the Victoria Valley Rd, while a private property in the Mirranatwa has been impacted.

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesperson said the fire had already burned through 5400 hectares of land as of 8.20am on Thursday.

“Currently, there’s just over 180 personnel on the ground working on that alongside aircraft,” the spokesperson said.

“There are seven aircraft responding.

“(It’s) not yet under control … We don’t have any reports of property loss at this stage.”

Grampians Rd has been closed from Silverband Road to the southern Victoria Valley Rd intersection, while Victoria Valley Rd has been closed at the Victoria Point intersection.

Yarram Gap Rd has also been closed from Grampians Rd to Moyston-Dunkeld Rd.

Residents have been urged to leave now.

“Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” the alert stated.

“Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”

People have been encouraged to leave via Victoria Valley Rd towards Dunkeld, where a relief centre has been opened at 14 Sterling Place.

“If in attendance and require assistance from the Southern Grampians Shire please phone the number provided on site. Victoria Police can also be contacted via the Hamilton Police 24 hour number posted onsite,” the Victoria Emergency alert stated.

The alert also reminded people to ensure they take pets, medications, phones and chargers with them.

Those unable to leave have been urged to stay inside and close all doors, windows, vents, and 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,” the alert stated.

“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.”

Victoria Emergency recommended sheltering in the middle of a large open area such as a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve for those unable to get inside.

Entering a large body of water, including a dam, lake, river, the ocean or in-ground pool are other options.

Those in the Barton, Kia Ora, Moyston, Watgania, Willaura, Willaura North, Bornes Hill and Dunkeld areas and Grampians National Park fields track have all been encouraged to monitor weather conditions and warnings and review their fire survival plans.

“There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and plan for what you will do if the situation changes,” the warning stated.

The National Council for Fire and Emergency Services earlier warned that the central Northern Territory, portions of regional NSW, most of southern and western Victoria, the bushland around Adelaide and vast stretches of Western Australia had an increased risk of bushfires this summer.

The AFAC’s 2024 summer bushfire outlook, released in November, indicated increased risk for most of Victoria’s west and areas of the northeast, southwest Gippsland, including the Mornington Peninsula, and greater Melbourne.

“The current level of landscape dryness in these areas is strong enough that without significant rainfall, the flammability of fuels in forests, woodlands and heathlands will remain high with elevated potential for fires to start and spread,” the report stated.

“Grasslands in these areas have superficial green-up, concealing underlying dryness (known as ‘green drought’).

“Curing is likely to advance earlier than normal in these areas.”