Update (8.40pm): Residents of Glenorchy, St Helens Plains and Wal Wal are being told to take shelter as the bushfire travels in a north-easterly direction.
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The fire has now crossed the Wimmera River west of Glenorchy near Nayla Swamp road on the northern side of the river.
More roads are closed in the region including Stawell-Warracknabeal Road from Deep Lead to Rupanyup and Murtoa-Glenorchy Road south of Murtoa.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
Update (7.45pm): More than 1400 hectares have been burned as a bushfire continues to ravage the Dadswell Bridge township.
Forest Fire Management Victoria confirmed the Mt Stapylton blaze is impacting private property near Dadswells Bridge and is travelling in a easterly direction.
The fire crossed the Western Highway and is now near Mount William Creek north of Dadswells Bridge.
Firefighters are working to bring smaller fires outside of Dadswell Bridge, Laharum and Wal Wal under control.
The Western Highway remains closed between Horsham and the Warracknabeal-Stawell Road.
Update (4.45pm): An emergency warning is being issued for more townships regarding the Mt Stapylton blaze.
Residents of Dadswells Bridge, Glenorchy, Ledcourt, Roses Gap, St Helens Plains and Wal Wal are being told to take shelter now.
Forest Fire Management Victoria said the bushfire at Mount Stapylton that is not yet under control.
The bushfire is now impacting areas of Dadswells Bridge and is travelling in a easterly direction and has crossed the Western Highway.
Update (3:50pm): Forest Fire Management Victoria have upgraded advice regarding the Dadswell Bridge bushfires.
Residents are advised to take shelter.
The Western Highway is closed between Horsham and Warracknabeal-Stawell Road intersection.
What you should do:
Travel to:
- The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
- You should leave using the Ararat Halls Gap Road and head towards Ararat.
- When you leave remember to take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
In the car:
- If you are travelling, do not enter the area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety.
- Slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
If you are unable to leave you should shelter indoors:
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. 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.
- 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.
If you cannot get indoors, other last resort options include:
- Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
- Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
- Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
If you are caught in fire in your car:
- Park behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to cleared area.
- Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
- Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
- Close all windows.
- Turn off the air-conditioning and shut all the air vents.
- Turn your car engine off.
- Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a pure woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area:
- Trees can be extremely hazardous during a bushfire or high winds. Avoid standing, parking or travelling in areas of fire affected trees.
- Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
Update (1.50pm): Dadswell Bridge residents have been told to leave as crews continue to fight fires in the region.
This Watch and Act message is being issued for Dadswells Bridge, Laharum, Ledcourt, Roses Gap, Wartook.
- There is a bushfire at Grampians National Park, Mt Stapylton that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire is located east of Mt Stapylton and is travelling in a southerly direction.
- A wind change is expected around 2pm, which will cause the fire to change directions towards Dadswells Bridge and Ledcourt. Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable.
- This Watch and Act replaces the Advice message issued at 12.19.
"Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly," a Forest Fire Management Victoria statement said.
"Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay."
Tuesday, February 13, is a Total Fire Ban for the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country fire weather districts; the Wimmera is rated as Catastrophic.
A Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating means conditions will be the most dangerous for a fire under the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System.
What you should do:
- Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
- Protect yourself and your family.
- If you are away from home, do not return.
If the situation changes or you feel unsafe you should leave:
- Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
- Many people have died trying to leave at the last minute during fires.
- Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area or Horsham.
Impacts in your area:
- Bushfires can spread quickly and are extremely dangerous.
- Bushfires can generate enormous amounts of radiant heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
The next update is expected by 13/02/2024 3.20 pm or as the situation changes.
Update (1.30pm): Halls Gap, Pomonal residents have been told to leave as crews battle the new Bellfield blaze.
The bushfire is travelling in a southerly direction from the Terraces Fire Line.
A wind change is expected around 2pm, which may cause the fire to change directions towards Pomonal and surrounding communities.
"Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly," the statement said.
"Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay."
Update (1.05pm):
The State Emergency Service has issued a warning for the state, advising severe thunderstorms are likely to occur on Tuesday, February 13.
"Damaging winds, heavy rainfall and large hail is possible with the storms in severely affected areas," the statement read.
To stay safe:
- Never attempt to drive through floodwater
- Avoid camping under trees
- Adjust your driving to the weather conditions and remain alert for fallen trees and branches
Update (12.55pm): The Bellfield fire is now marked under control.
Three CFA units have moved another fire south east of the blaze.
The Kellalac sighting has been removed from the list of warnings for the Wimmera.
Earlier (12.40pm): Emergency services are battling several blazes across the Wimmera and Grampians regions.
Five CFA crews are working to bring a bushfire under control on Mt Zero Road in Laharum, while another is working on a small fire on the Grampians Peak Trail about nine kilometres west of Dadswells Bridge.
Two crews are responding to a spotfire on Terraces firelane in Bellfield outside of Halls Gap.
Further north, a column of smoke was spotted in Kellalac near Warracknabeal.
Authorities issued advice for Dadswells Bridge, Laharum, Wartook, Halls Gap and Pomonal
"There is currently no threat to communities, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions," it read.
Tuesday, February 13, is a Total Fire Ban for the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country fire weather districts; the Wimmera is rated as Catastrophic.
A Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating means conditions will be the most dangerous for a fire under the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System.
What you should do:
- Monitor weather conditions and warnings.
- Review your fire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.
- Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond.
- If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
Impacts in your area:
- Firefighters are responding to this fire.
- Smoke may visible from nearby communities and roads.
This message was issued by Country Fire Authority.
The next update is expected by 4.30pm or as the situation changes.
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
- To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.
Ben Fraser
Ben is the Editor with the Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Ben is the former chief of staff at the Portland Observer, a qualified teacher, and an Leadership Great South Coast alumni (2019).
Ben is the Editor with the Wimmera Mail-Times, Stawell Times-News and Ararat Advertiser. Ben is the former chief of staff at the Portland Observer, a qualified teacher, and an Leadership Great South Coast alumni (2019).
