December 23rd 2024.
Residents living near a massive fire in the south-western region of the state of Victoria have been advised to closely monitor the changing conditions. With an expected rise in fire danger, authorities are urgently warning people to stay alert and be prepared. In preparation for the predicted "catastrophic" conditions on Boxing Day, over 100 emergency service personnel from other states are set to join the firefighting efforts.
The fire, which started last week in Grampians National Park, has now spread to over 40,000 hectares. Updates and warnings can be found on the Vic Emergency website. The fire has forced hundreds of residents in areas such as Halls Gap, Bellfield, Lake Fyans, and surrounding areas to evacuate and not return until it is deemed safe by authorities.
A Watch and Act warning is also still in place for several other areas, including Pomonal, Barton, Mafeking, Watgania, Londonderry, Moyston, Rhymney, Bellellen, Black Range, Great Western, Jalluka, and Willaura North. However, there is some good news as the fire's spread has been slowed down due to favorable weather conditions and light rain overnight. Nonetheless, authorities are quick to remind everyone that the situation can change at any time, and it is crucial to stay vigilant.
Despite some heavy rainfall in Melbourne yesterday, it has unfortunately not been enough to assist the firefighters. As a precaution, the Grampians National Park, located about 200 kilometers north-west of Melbourne, remains closed to the public for the time being. In case of emergency, the following relief centers are available: Alexandra Oval Community Centre in Ararat and Grampians Community Health in Stawell.
Meanwhile, a base camp has been set up in Ararat, 50 kilometers away from the fire front, to accommodate the nearly 500 exhausted firefighters and volunteers. In addition to the local crews, over 100 personnel from New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, and Tasmania will also be lending a hand in the firefighting efforts. This includes two Incident Management Teams and four specialized firefighting taskforces. The State Response Controller David Nugent expressed his gratitude for the support from these interstate resources, which will provide much-needed relief for the local crews.
As the state braces for high temperatures in the coming days, with Boxing Day posing a particular concern, the Wimmera District is expected to experience "catastrophic" conditions. The hot, dry, and windy weather is a significant concern for firefighters, especially as the terrain in Grampians National Park is steep and challenging. Incident Controller Aaron Kennedy stressed the importance of being prepared for these conditions and the hard work being put in to strengthen the containment lines.
In light of another out-of-control blaze in the town of Bullengarook, residents are urged to stay informed and monitor the conditions closely. The fire is currently traveling towards Mulcahy Road and Waterloo Flat Road, and authorities are advising people to have a plan in case the situation changes. Several roads in the area have been closed, and a community meeting will be held to update residents on the situation.
The National Council for Fire and Emergency Services had previously warned of the potential dangers of this fire season, particularly for areas in south-western Victoria, such as the Wimmera region, Grampians National Park, and Mallee country. With 24 months of rainfall deficiencies in these areas, the conditions are especially conducive to fires, making it challenging for firefighters to contain them. Melbourne is also expected to reach a high of 40 degrees on Boxing Day, with the surrounding areas not far behind.
The ongoing crisis has had a significant impact on the affected communities, with the region estimated to be losing about $2 million every day. This is a significant blow for the businesses, including restaurants, accommodations, tour operators, and retail outlets, that rely on tourism during the peak summer period. Grampians Tourism CEO Marc Sleeman, who himself lives in Pomonal, spoke about the devastating impact of the fire on the community and local businesses. He urged people to continue supporting the affected areas and to stay updated on the situation through the 9News app.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
