On Monday, January 27th, lightning strikes ignited multiple fires within Grampians National Park. The Horsham Incident Control Centre is managing three major fires: the Wallaby Rocks and Taylors Track fires in the Northern Grampians and the Bullawin Road fire in the Victoria Valley, located in the Southern Grampians.
Current situation
Wallaby Rocks Fire: Not yet under control- Approximately 1500 hectares in size. There is still active fire on the northern edge. Fire crews are working continuously to prevent further spread
Taylors Track Fire:
Approximately 74 hectares in size. This fire has been contained and Fire crews continue work to strengthen containment lines.
Bullawin Road (Victoria Valley):
Not yet under control. This fire is currently approximately 7650 hectares in size and continues to increase.
There was significant fire activity overnight along the western and north-western edge that caused the fire to spread in multiple directions, threatening private land on the western edge at various points between Hoffmans Rd and Woohlpooer Rd.
Residents were told to leave Glenisla, Mooralla, Rocklands and Woohlpooer early this morning due to heightened fire activity from the Bullawin Rd fire.
Tourism
Some popular areas and visitor sites within the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park have been declared safe, and re-opened to the public.
Popular tourist sites sites Halls Gap, The Pinnacle, Chatauqua Peak, Clematis Falls, Venus Baths and Mount Abrupt and Mount Sturgeon in the north east central and southern parts of the Grampians can now be accessed for day trips.
The remainder of the national park will remain closed until it is safe for people to return. The full list of roads and visitor sites that are now open can be found on the Parks Victoria website.
For a full list of the open and closed areas of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, visit www.parks.vic.gov.au or scan the QR Code
Road closures
The Henty Highway is closed.
Information on updated road closures is available via
13 11 70 or the VicTraffic website traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au
Protect your health
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).
Smoke from fires can increase air pollution in rural and urban areas, and exposure to smoke can affect you and your family's health. Scan the QR code for further information or visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bushfiresmoke
Useful information
After a fire: private drinking water and water tank safety
If you live in a bushfire-affected area your water source could become contaminated from debris, ash, small dead animals or aerial fire retardants. If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual, do not drink it or give it to animals. Also, you should not source water from a creek that has been affected by bushfire as the water may be contaminated. Water drawn from deep bores or wells should continue to be safe to use.
After a fire: cleaning up a smoke affected home
If your home has been damaged by the fire or smells of smoke from bushfires you should: ventilate your home; wash hard surfaces (furniture, walls and floors); wash soft furnishings (upholstered furniture and bedding); and wash affected clothing.
For more information visit www.healthtranslations.vic.gov.au or scan the QR Code
More information is provided on your local council’s website and social media channels
www.ngshire.vic.gov.au
www.facebook.com/ngshire
Contact VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226) to speak to someone about recovering. They can connect you with people who can help.
Stay informed
- www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
- VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
- VicEmergency app. Facebook or Twitter
- Local radio
