Major Otways fires keep communities on edge

Thick smoke rolled across the Surf Coast and Greater Geelong region this afternoon as multiple out-of-control bushfires continued to burn in the Otway Ranges.

As evening sets in, firefighters are still battling major blazes across the Otways, including in Carlisle River, with more communities near Colac, such as Irrewillipe, Tomahawk Creek and Barongarook urged to leave the area immediately.

It follows advice earlier in the day to other communities surrounding the fire – such as Gellibrand, Forrest, Yeodone – to evacuate. Residents in Kennedys Creek have also been advised to leave, while in Carlisle River, a shelter now emergency warning remains in place.

Authorities say the fire is travelling in a north-easterly direction towards Carlisle River and Escarpment Road.

 

 

The Cape Otway and Maits Rest area were evacuated earlier in the day and, although the advice has since been downgraded to a Watch and Act alert, at last report, the area remains unsafe for residents to return.

Haze from the fire blanketed much of the Surf Coast and Geelong region by mid-afternoon, placing more communities on edge.

Further east, firefighters are still working to contain an out-of-control grassfire in Mount Mercer, near Meredith.

Emergency warnings were upgraded to Watch and Act level late this afternoon, with residents in Bamganie and Meredith urged to monitor conditions as winds are forecast to shift overnight, potentially placing pressure of the fire’s north-eastern edge.

The fire has already burned more than 2,000 hectares in and around the Meredith State Forest.

 

 

Near Bendigo, fires burning between Harcourt and Ravenswood remain active, though some communities have been able to begin returning home. A Watch and Act warning is in place.

Those coming home to Harcourt were met with a compromised water system, with the tap water deemed unsafe to drink.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued statewide air quality advice this evening, warning smoke and ash from the fires still raging across the state may drift long distances from the firegrounds.

People sensitive to smoke – including those with heart or lung conditions, older residents, children and pregnant women – are urged to limit outdoor activity and take steps to reduce exposure.

 

 

The total fire ban (TFB) has also been extended into Sunday. This means no fires can be lit in the open air or be allowed to remain alight.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the total fire ban has been declared because thousands of firefighters are still on the ground battling fires across Victoria.

“There is a lot of fire in the landscape and it’s important we reduce any risks, which is why the statewide total fire ban is staying in place,” he said.

“Conditions have eased but we have a long way to go to get the current fire situation under control.

 

 

“I appreciate that a TFB can have impact on communities and business but be assured these restrictions are reviewed on a daily basis. This ensures we get the right balance between mitigation against new fires in the landscape and the needs of communities.”

Today’s worsening conditions follow the declaration of a state of disaster across large parts of Victoria, including the Colac Otway and Golden Plains shires, after extreme fire behaviour on Friday.

Authorities warned earlier in the day the Otways were likely to be a major focus, a prediction that proved accurate as multiple lightning-sparked fires took hold across the ranges.

Emergency services continue to urge residents and visitors in affected and at-risk areas to remain alert, monitor warnings closely and be prepared to act if conditions change.

For the latest information, advice and warnings, visit emergency.vic.gov.au