Community Newsletter: Creswick Melbourne Road fire

POSTED:

18 December 2024

Information about the fire

The Creswick Melbourne Road fire that started at 5.00pm Monday, 16 December 2024 is now contained. The fire has not grown since yesterday and is 191 hectares in size. Communities will continue to see smoke while crews continue blacking out activities. On Friday the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting temperatures in the low to mid 30s and potentially strong winds. Now is the time to review your fire survival plan (https://fireplanner.vic.gov.au).

Drones are prohibited

Drones have been flown over the fire area. This can be dangerous to our firefighters. To help ensure the safety of our emergency personnel do not fly drones over the fire area.

Reporting injured wildlife

To find help for wildlife injured by bushfires please contact

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action 136 18
Wildlife Victoria 03 8400 7300

Damaged farm fencing

Farm fencing adjoining state or national parks:

The Victorian Government will pay half of the cost of boundary fencing upgrades, up to $5,000 per kilometre to replace or repair fencing between private agricultural land and all national parks and state forests destroyed or damaged by bushfires.

Farm fencing destroyed by firefighting activities:

The Government will pay 100% of the restoration costs of fences damaged on private land as a result of machinery used by fire agencies to control bushfires, or fire agency staff cutting through fences to allow access for suppression efforts. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) will assist in assessing your property before works are undertaken or any payments are made. Landholders can call to find more information by visiting https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/recovery-after-an-emergency/public-land-recovery or by calling the Contact Centre Team on 136 186, Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm

Recovery information

If you are a resident and have questions about recovery after this fire contact: communityrecovery@hepburn.vic.gov.au or call 5348 2306.

Road closures
All roads are now open. Speed restrictions are in place for the following roads:

Creswick-Dean Road between Melbourne Road and Skilbecks Road
Melbourne Road between Creswick -Dean Road and Russells Reservoir.

Forest Tracks: Internal forest tracks in the fire area remain closed including Bush Inn Road.

Djuwang Baring, Creswick Mountain Bike Trails (https://www.djuwangbaring.com) is closed Wednesday 18 December 2024. It is due to re-open Thursday 19 December 2024.

Water replacement

Any water from your property used by emergency services will be replaced. To find more information regarding how to request replacement visit: https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/recovery-after-an-emergency/public-land-recov...

Your water tank before and after fires

If your tank water has been affected by fires you may need to get a tank clean. To find out more about keeping your tank water healthy and safe before and after fires visit: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/bushfires-and-w...

Protect your health
If you have any concerns about your health or the health of your family, please contact:

Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 (this is a phone service that allows you to discuss any health-related issue with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria).

Stay informed

www.emergency.vic.gov.au
VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
VicEmergency app
Facebook or Twitter
Local radio

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 on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.

	Evacuation An evacuation is recommended or procedures are in place to evacuate.
	Emergency Warning You are in imminent danger and need to take action now. You will be impacted.
	Watch and Act / Warning An emergency is heading toward you. Conditions are changing and you need to take action now to protect yourself and your family.
	Advice An incident is occurring or has occurred in the area. Access information and monitor conditions.
	All Clear Emergency activity in the area has subsided and is no longer a danger to you.
	Community Update Specific information and updates for affected communities regarding a particular event or incident.
	Warning Area Colour area shows the predicted warning area at the time of issue. This colour can be yellow (Advice), orange (Watch & Act / Warning), red (Emergency Warning) or red line with a grey fill (Recommendation to Evacuate)

	Fire - Not Yet Under Control The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Fire - Contained, Under Control, or Safe The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Planned Burn The general location of a planned burn that is currently underway on public land. Firefighters are managing the burn but flames and smoke may be visible. Read More (external link opens in new window) Note: In most cases, the location of the icon shows the starting point of the planned burn.
	Flood Indicates the location of reported flooding that may be impacting on houses, roads, property and other infrastructure. Flooding may be caused by rain, river overflow, tidal surges, or dam failure. The depiction of an area communicated in a Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning including Flood Watch, Minor Flood, Moderate Flood and Major Flood.
	Vehicle Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a car or other motor vehicle and wash aways.
	Aircraft Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a plane, helicopter or other aircraft.
	Rail Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a train or tram.
	Marine Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a ship, boat or other watercraft.
	Rescue The reported location of a person trapped as a result of a industrial or recreational accident, trench or structure collapse, or a similar incident.
	Hazardous Material The reported location of a spill or leak of a hazardous liquid, gas or solid. This could include chemical, radiological, biological materials, a petrol or oil spill, a ruptured gas main or an industrial leak. Note: In most cases, the location of the icon depicts where the hazardous material is reported to be located and may not show how far it has spread.
	Earthquake An earthquake or other land-based seismic event has been recorded and reported by Geoscience Australia (external link opens in new window)
	Tsunami A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a Tsunami in the area.
	Landslide The location of a reported landslide event.
	Storm A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for thunderstorms, hail and/or blizzards in this area.
	Tornado/Cyclone A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a tornado or cyclone in the area.
	Damaging Winds A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for strong or damaging winds in the area.
	Building Damage A request has been made for assistance to help make a damaged building or structure safe.
	Tree Down (traffic hazard) A request has been made for assistance to remove a tree or branch that has fallen in the area – it may be blocking or impacting a path, track or roadway.
	Fallen Power Lines A request has been made for assistance to remove a fallen power pole or power lines in the area.
	Medical / Human Health The reported location of a human health incident or a request for medical assistance.
	Animal Health The reported location of an animal health incident or a request for animal rescue.
	Oiled Wildlife The reported location of Oiled Wildlife or a request for animal rescue (Oiled).
	Animal Plague Reported location of vertebrate pest plague such as rats, rabbits. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Insect Plague Reported location of an insect plague such as locusts. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Dam Failure The reported location of a dam failure.
	Shark Sighting Reported location of a shark sighting. This is likely to result in a beach closure by Life Saving Victoria
	Water Pollution The reported location of polluted waterways either inland or marine.
	Plant Health The reported location of a significant plant health or disease incident.
	Other This could be an equipment fault, inspection, trivial call, or an operation to assist another agency.

	Total Fire Ban A Total Fire Ban is currently in force for this area. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Road Closed / Affected There is a partial or full road closure at this location. Note: Not all road issues are reported on this site. Further information may be available from VicRoads (external link opens in new window) .
	Rail Disruption Rail services have been affected. This may result in cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from Public Transport Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Airport / Airspace Restrictions Air services have been affected. This may result in cancellations, delays or closure of airspace.
	Port Closure / Waterway Restrictions Services or access have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full closure and may cause cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from the Port of Melbourne (external link opens in new window) .
	Power Outage A power outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant power company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Gas Outage A gas outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant gas company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Water Outage / Affected Water has been affect or is unavailable in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant water provider. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Park / Forest Closure There is a full or partial park closure at this location. Further information may be available from Parks Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Beach Closure The beach has been closed in this location. Closures could be in relation to weather, dangerous conditions or shark sightings.
	School Closure Services at an education facility have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full facility closure. Further information may be available from the particular education facility or Department of Education and Training (external link opens in new window) .
	Other - Closed / Restricted Access There is a partial or full closure at this location. This could be affecting a public space, sporting facility or commercial space.

	Community Meeting / Information Point Shows the location of community meetings or information points to help keep the public informed during emergencies. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Refuge / Relief Centre The location of an established Community Fire Refuge or Relief Centre to assist people impacted by an emergency.
	Neighbourhood Safer Place Location of a designated Neighbourhood Safer Place. This is a place of last resort when all other fire plans have failed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Community Document Planning and preparation information, such as Community Information Guide (CIG) or Local Flood Guides. These guides are a key source of emergency information for the community. Read more (external link opens in new window) .

	Cluster Icon There are multiple warnings or incidents in this location and you will need to select the icon or zoom in to display them all.
	Incident Area Depicts the extent of an area impacted by an incident at a point in time. While this information will be updated regularly it may not represent the current extent of the impact.
	Fire Danger Ratings Displays the forecast Fire Danger Rating. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Rain Radar The radar map overlay shows the location of rain using different colours to depict rainfall intensity. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Wind Direction Shows the location's current wind direction and speed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Thunderstorm Tracker The Thunderstorm Tracker (external link opens in new window) map overlay shows the location of storm cells using different colours to depict rainfall intensity.

Media Releases

Community Newsletter: Creswick Melbourne Road fire