18 hours Ago By 9News
Tweet Facebook Mail Residents and business owners of Halls Gap, a small village in the Grampians National Park in Victoria's west, will be allowed to briefly return to their homes today to collect personal items after fleeing from out-of-control bushfires . Authorities are bracing for extreme fire danger in the region, and across the state more broadly, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid-40s on Boxing Day. The fire in Grampians National Park has now grown to more than 40,000 hectares and a 100-strong interstate personnel is being deployed to assist with the response.
Stay informed at the VicEmergency website or download the app from the App Store or Google Play A fire truck in front of bushfires burning in Grampians National Park, December 23, 2024. (CFA/Hamilton Fire Brigade) Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has warned Boxing Day will be "problematic" and Victorians must be prepared for fires that have not yet started. "The advice is very clear, this is the beginning of what will be a long, hot and dangerous bushfire season," Carroll said.
"The fire that we do not know about, is the fire that we're worried about. "Boxing Day is going to be a big day for our state. "We've had fires already burning across Victoria and we're heading into even more extreme conditions on Boxing Day.
" The CFA is considering imposing a statewide Total Fire Ban on Boxing Day and is expected to confirm its decision today. READ MORE: King Charles to break with tradition for 2024 Christmas message The bush is dry and conditions are expected to worsen. (Supplied) Temperatures in the low- to mid-40s are expected across most of the state on Thursday with hot, northerly winds.
"The fuel is very dry, the bush is dry...
it is ready to burn," CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan warned. "It will be a very challenging day. " Authorities are urging all Victorians to have the VicEmergency app downloaded on their phones to remain up to date with fire danger over the coming days.
In extreme weather it is not unusual to lose power and internet connectivity so Heffernan also encouraged people to have more than one source of fire danger information available to them, to know exactly where they are, know their fire risk and have a plan. READ MORE: Dozens of parcels stolen from Melbourne post office Grampians Fire Halls Gap residents who had evacuated will be able to return to their homes between 10am and 12pm today to collect personal belongings and ensure their properties are secured. Access to Halls Gap will be via the Traffic Management Point at the junction of Grampians Road and Ararat Halls Gap Road.
Police will be asking to see proof of residence, such as a driver's license. A community meeting will also be held today Tuesday December 24 at 11am local time at Moyston Hall. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Ararat Rural City Council Facebook page and will be shared to the Vic Emergency Facebook page.
Areas that have been deemed unsafe to return include Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek, Grampians Junction, and Halls Gap. A Watch and Act warning remains in place for Lake Fyans, Pomonal, Barton, Mafeking, Watgania, Bellellen, Black Range, Great Western, Jallukar, Lake Fyans, Londonderry, Moyston, Rhymney, Willaura North. VicEmergency said "favourable weather conditions and light rain over the fire area" yesterday had slowed the spread of fire, but the situation can change at any time.
The Grampians National Park, about 200 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, remains closed to the public. The following relief centres are open: Alexandra Oval Community Centre, 1 Waratah Ave, Ararat. Grampians Community Health, known as "The Shacc", 22 Patrick Street Stawell.
Surrounding areas including Fyans Creek, Lake Lonsdale, Ledcourt, Mokepilly, Mount Dryden, Wartook, Zumsteins, Bornes Hill, Dunkeld, Glenthompson, Grampians, Jimmy Creek, Karabeal, Mirranatwa, Strathmore, Victoria Point, Victoria Valley, Kia Ora, Willaura are currently not under threat but have been urged to stay informed. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan (Nine) Bullengarook Fire Residents living in the town of Bullengarook, 14 kilometres west of Gisborne, are warned to monitor conditions for another blaze. The fire started near Coffeys Road and is burning within the Wombat State Forest.
Crews have been able to contain the fire but warn extreme conditions on Thursday may increase the risk and residents should be prepared to leave early before conditions become too dangerous. Coffeys Road, Carrolls Lane and Waterloo Flat Road are closed. Other fires with potential to grow on Boxing Day include blazes at Boollarra South, The Gurdies, Crewwick and Casterton-Edenhope Road.
Melbourne is forecast to have a high of 40 on Boxing Day, while Halls Gap is expecting 39, Mildura 43 and Horsham 42. It's estimated the region is losing about $2 million every day due to the ongoing crisis. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone.
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