Residents near Grampians National Park told to evacuate as blaze spreads
In the Grampians/Gariwerd National Park, uncontrolled bushfires that are spreading in many directions have prompted the issuance of new emergency alerts.
Fires broke out along the western perimeter of the park, 18 kilometers northeast of Cavendish, this morning, prompting the evacuation of around 100 individuals from the settlements of Mooralla, Woohlpooer, Glenisla, and Rocklands.
Even in benign weather, the Balwyn Road fire grew to 7,000 hectares over night, according to incident controller Peter West.
“It has been threatening the Henty Highway and private property in that vicinity overnight near the Hoffmanns Road area,” he said.
“We know it’s burnt through some private property in that movement to the Henty Highway.”
Between Cavendish and Horsham, the Henty Highway is blocked.
To the east of the fire, near Strachan and Victoria Valley, there is also a watch and act warning.
In addition to the more than 100 firemen who worked the night shift, a number of helicopters and fire-bombing planes—some of which are typically only used during the day—were also used.
As it moves northwest toward the Henty Highway, the fire’s northwest border has crossed Billywing Track.
In the northern Grampians, another fire is raging, which was also sparked by dry lightning over the weekend.
Prior to the predicted hot weather on Sunday and Monday, Mr. West said that personnel were making every effort to contain the flames.
“It will take a lot of work before we get those fires to a contained or controlled status,” he said.
At two public sessions today, authorities will update locals at Cavendish at 7 p.m. and Halls Gap at 12 p.m.
A little desert fire
70,000 hectares have been burned by an uncontrolled blaze in the Little Desert National Park, northwest of Horsham.
For anyone residing near the northern perimeter of the fire, a watch and act notice is now in effect.
Crews on that fire, according to Mr. West, had a good night controlling back-burning and breakouts.
Residents in the vicinity of Horsham are struggling with hazy conditions.
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