Fire risk easing in Otways as crews gain ground

FIREFIGHTERS have slowed the spread of bushfires across the Otway Ranges, after days of intense fire activity placed Surf Coast communities on edge.

The blazes ignited last week during a catastrophic fire danger period that forced evacuations at caravan parks along the Great Ocean Road.

 

As the fires spread through rugged and heavily forested terrain, changing winds quickly intensified the threat, with emergency warnings expanding across the Otways. Advice escalated rapidly in some areas, shifting from prepare-to-leave alerts to urgent direction to shelter in place as conditions worsened.

At the height of the emergency, a state of disaster was declared across large parts of Victoria, including the Colac Otway and Golden Plains shires, granting authorities additional powers to manage evacuations and movement.

 

Thick smoke drifted across the Surf Coast and Geelong as fire activity intensified, blanketing towns and prompting air-quality warnings, while residents were urged to closely monitor conditions and remain ready to act.

At the time of writing on Wednesday, four major fires are still burning across the Otways, but crews have been able to slow their spread.

 

The fire in Cape Otway is now under control, and the Great Ocean Road is open, with speed restrictions in place.

Three other bushfires, in Carlisle River and Kennedys Creek areas, are not yet under control, but as containment lines continue to strengthen, emergency warnings have been downgraded and people have been able to safely return home.

Authorities have warned the Otway fires, which have already burned more than 7,000 hectares, remain sensitive to weather and fuel conditions.

 

A large blaze in Mount Mercer, near Meredith, also formed part of the region’s fire response. It burned more than 2,000 hectares in and around the Meredith State Forest, placing pressure on nearby communities during periods of shifting wind.

By end of day Monday, the fire was declared under control.

Statewide, the scale of the fire emergency is significant, with authorities saying it will take weeks to understand the full impact of the damage.

 

More than 400,000 hectares have been burned out across Victoria, and more than 1,000 farms have been impacted.

Fire authorities warn some of the larger and more complex fires are expected to continue burning or weeks.

 

Emergency services continue to urge residents and visitors in fire-affected areas to stay informed through official warnings, monitor conditions closely and remain prepared.