Victorian bushfires: warnings issued as fast-moving fire threatens homes
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Version 0 of 1. Residents are being warned it is not safe to leave their homes in the west of Victoria as bushfires rage across the Australian state. Fires in the area around the Grampians are covering about 11,000 hectares, with firefighters saying at least two homes have been lost overnight. Warnings were issued on Friday morning telling residents in Brimpaen, Heathvale and Laharum, about 200km west of Ballarat, that a fast-moving fire had burned through the Wartook valley overnight. “You are in danger, act now to protect yourself,” the warning said. “It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors.” Locals were told to look out for spot fires and ember attack. Residents in Cherrypool, Glenisla and Glenisla Crossing in the Grampians are being told to leave immediately, with the fire expected to reach the Henty Highway by 9am – though it is already closed at Cavendish. “Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” the warning says. “Emergency services may not be able to help if you decide to stay.” People are being told to flee to the nearby town of Hamilton or to the homes of family and friends which are not in the warning area. Temperatures in the Grampians are expected to hit the mid-40s on Friday. A cool change is expected in the afternoon, bringing a wind change which could make conditions for fighting the fire worse. A north-westerly of about 45km/h is expected to change to a southerly at some point in the late afternoon or early evening. Residents are being told to close all windows and doors if inside, seek safety in the middle of a football field or body of water such as a dam if they are outside and not to drive in the area. Those trapped in their cars by the bushfire are being told to park behind a solid structure facing the fire, turn off the engine, close all windows and vents, and get down as low as they can with a blanket covering them. Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |