UPDATE: February 19, 9.38am
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A ‘Watch and Act’ warning has been issued for areas south of Trawool, north of Fairview Rd and west of King Parrot Creek, Kerrisdale.
The CFA is urging people in this region to monitor conditions and be ready to act, as the situation could change at any time.
Indications of changing conditions include increased wind speed, change in wind direction, and smoke or poor visibility.
Firefighters, aircraft and firefighting machinery are currently working to contain the fire south of Trawool, which is not yet under control.
There will be an increase in smoke today, due to operations to burn out fuels to containment lines.
If the situation changes, people in the area should leave and remember to take their pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
The CFA instructs people to leave before it is too late.
The fire, which started on Tuesday, February 17 at the Goulburn Valley Hwy, south of Trawool, has burnt through about 25 hectares so far.
UPDATE: February 18, 11.26am
The threat has been reduced for a bushfire burning south of the Goulburn Valley Hwy at Trawool.
A ‘Watch and Act’ message is still being issued for north of Strath Creek, south of Trawool and west of King Parrot Creek Rd, Kerrisdale; however, it is safe to return to the area.
The spread of the bushfire has slowed for now, but the situation can change at any time.
The CFA urges people returning to the area to monitor conditions and be ready to act, and be aware of potential dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.
A relief centre previously opened at the Yea Recreation Reserve is now closed.
In the area, residents should be aware that speed restrictions are currently in place near the Trawool Fire Station.
UPDATE: February 18, 10.46am
A fire burning 3.2km south-east of Trawool, which is not yet under control, has burnt through about 147.10 hectares.
The fire started at about 12.30pm yesterday.
There are three emergency warnings currently in place, including ‘Not Safe to Return’, ‘Stay Informed’ and ‘Threat is Reduced’.
Read below for more details on these emergency warnings.
Not Safe to Return – Strath Creek, Trawool and Kerrisdale
A ‘Watch and Act’ message was issued at 7am this morning for north of Strath Creek, south of Trawool and west of King Parrot Creek Rd, Kerrisdale.
It is not safe to return to these areas, due to the potential dangers of bushfire and tree hazards, and emergency vehicles.
A bushfire is still burning south of the Goulburn Valley Hwy, Trawool, and it is not yet under the control of emergency services.
The bushfire is slow moving due to the change in weather conditions.
Those who have not already left should stay where they are and avoid dangerous hazards, and check if they have enough food, drinking water and medications – if they do not, phone 000 for assistance.
Those who have already left should not return home until a ‘Safe to Return’ notification has been issued.
Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and roads, speed restrictions are in place near the Trawool Fire Station and emergency services will remain in the area.
‘Stay Informed’ – Granite, Kerrisdale, Tallarook and Trawool
Those in Granite, Kerrisdale, Tallarook and Trawool are being urged to stay informed, due to the bushfire burning at the Goulburn Valley Hwy in Trawool.
There is currently no threat to these areas, but residents should stay informed and plan ahead if the situation changes.
People in the area should monitor weather conditions and warnings, review their fire survival plan, decide what they will do if the situation changes if they do not have a plan and keep roads clear so emergency services can respond.
‘Threat is Reduced’ – Reedy Creek and Strath Creek
The CFA has advised that the threat of the Trawool bushfire was reduced for Reedy Creek and Strath Creek at 3.03am this morning.
People located within the area are now able to resume normal activities.
Emergency services will remain in the area and smoke may be visible.
Check the VicTraffic website or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
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EARLIER:
Updated February 17, 3.58pm
‘Take Shelter Now’ - Kerrisdale, Tallarook and Trawool
A ‘Take Shelter Now’ warning was issued for Kerrisdale, Tallarook and Trawool at 3.46pm, on February 17.
- There is a bushfire at Goulburn Valley Hwy, Trawool that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire is travelling from Goulburn valley Hwy in a south-westerly direction towards Fairview Rd out to West Falls Rd.
- This fire is threatening homes and lives.
- It is too late to leave the area safely so you must take shelter now.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
What you should do:
Move indoors:
- Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from pure cotton or wool. Wear leather boots.
- Bring your pets inside.
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and 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:
- Move away from the rooms that are on fire, closing doors behind you.
- As soon as the bushfire has passed the house, or conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt. Staying inside a burning building will almost certainly end in death.
- It may still be too hot to remain outside, so you will need to seek shelter in another structure or last resort option.
If you cannot get indoors, 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 travelling:
- If you are travelling, do not enter the warning area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety.
- If you are currently driving slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
If you are caught in fire in your car:
- Park off the road 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:
- Embers are being carried by the wind large distances ahead of the main fire and starting spot fires.
- Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
Watch and Act - Leave Now - Strath Creek, Kerrisdale, Reedy Creek and Tallarook
A watch and act message was for Kerrisdale, Reedy Creek, Strath Creek, Tallarook at 3.58pm on February 17.
- There is a bushfire at Goulburn Valley Hwy, Trawool that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire is travelling from Goulburn Valley HwyTrawool in a south-westerly direction towards Strath Creek.
- This message is for residents along King Parrot Creek Rd and surrounds from Tehans Rd to Strath Creek Rd.
- A wind change is predicted between 6pm and 8pm tonight. This will change the fire to move in a north-easterly direction.
Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
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.
Impacts in your area:
- Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
- Bushfires can start spot fires and embers can travel large distances ahead of the main fire.
Stay Informed - Dairy Creek and Homewood
A ‘Stay Informed’ warning was issued for Dairy Creek and Homewood at 3.11pm on February 17.
- The bushfire is travelling from Goulburn Valley Hwy, Willow Track in a south-westerly direction towards Flynns Rd.
- A wind change is predicted between 6pm and 8pm tonight (February 17). This will change the fire to move in a north-easterly direction.
There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and plan for what you will do if the situation changes.
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.
Impacts in your area:
- The King Parrot Creek Rd is closed from the Goulburn Valley Hwy to the Broadford-Flowerdale Rd.
Stay Informed - Granite, Kerrisdale and Trawool
A ‘Stay Informed’ warning was issued forGranite, Kerrisdale and Trawool at 2.06pm on February 17.
- There is a bushfire at Goulburn Valley Hwy, Trawool that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire is travelling from Goulburn Valley Hwy, Willow Track in a south-westerly direction towards Flynns Rd.
There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and plan for what you will do if the situation changes.
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.
Impacts in your area:
- Firefighters are responding to this fire.
- Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and roads.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
- emergency.vic.gov.au
- VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
- VicEmergency app
- Facebook or Twitter (#vicfires).
- Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Accessibility:
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 for assistance and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.