Otways fire grows as conditions shift

The Carlisle River bushfire has grown by about 3,000 hectares after breaking containment lines overnight, with the fire, which is still not under control, now about 1km from the community of Gellibrand.

Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer, Chris Hardman, said the fire broke containment lines at about 6pm on Saturday before expanding rapidly to an estimated 8,500 hectares.

While the fire moved toward Gellibrand overnight, southerly winds on Sunday are expected to push the fire away from the township, shifting the immediate risk to communities on its northern and eastern flanks, including Barongarook.

“The fire didn’t reach Gellibrand, but it did spot into areas around it,” he said.

Firefighters are working to strengthen control lines on Sunday ahead of forecast heat later in the week. Photo: SUPPLIED

“It did actually burn back into some of the areas that have been previously burned, but it’s a long way from being contained.

“We are making sure that we have all the best resources on this fire for the next couple of days.”

Hardman confirmed there is no immediate risk to the nearby coastal communities of Lorne and Apollo Bay, but encouraged locals and holidaymakers to stay informed.

“It is a really dynamic situation and conditions could change rapidly,” he said.

“It’s a long weekend, people are travelling, it’s going to be really important that people know what’s going on.

“If the messages change from emergency services, we just ask that people heed them and follow them immediately.”

Smoke from the Otway fires drifted across parts of the state on Saturday, with air quality expected to deteriorate further for inland centres including Ballarat. Photo: SUPPLIED

Rapid impact assessment teams have been deployed to Gellibrand to assess potential damage to homes and other structures, though no confirmed losses have been reported.

Authorities said conditions on Sunday were allowing firefighters to strengthen control lines again, but warned forecast extreme heat on Tuesday could again drive dangerous fire behaviour.

“The conditions will change for the worse on Tuesday, and we’ll do everything we can to minimise the impacts of this fire in the longer-term, but there is real potential for this fire,” Hardman warned.

Southerly winds are expected to push smoke north of the Otway fires through Sunday, with air quality likely to deteriorate in areas including Ballarat, but air quality in Geelong and across the Bellarine Peninsula is expected improve.