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 5700 hectares in size. There is minimal active fire on the northern edge. Fire crews have completed considerable work establishing containment lines to prevent any spread
Taylors Track Fire
Approximately 74 hectares in size. This fire has been contained and crews continue to patrol and monitor closely.
Bullawin Road (Victoria Valley)
Not yet under control and is currently approximately 22,640 hectares in size with a perimeter in excess 110 kilometres. The extent of this fire has significantly grown due to erratic wind patterns that have increased fire activity, mainly along the Western edge.
Every effort is being made to utilise resources effectively when weather conditions are favourable. Critical works are being undertaken to consolidate containment lines, supported by machinery and aircraft.
Strategic fuel reduction activities are being implemented to retain any fire activity within perimeters, Aerial ignition of targeted unburnt pockets of both the Wallaby Rocks and Bullawin Road fires commenced yesterday afternoon with good results. Smoke and flames maybe visible.
With a change to northerly winds in the coming days, there is a risk of significant movement of both fires to the south. Control strategies aim to keep the fire within the park boundary, minimising impact to private property.
This fire has the potential for dynamic, unpredictable fire behaviour and agencies are asking the community to remain vigilant and monitor conditions
Park Visitors
Popular walking tracks across the South East and North East of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park can now be accessed for day trips and have been declared safe to reopen.
The township of Halls Gap is open for visitors as well as natural sites including The Pinnacle, Chatauqua Peak, Clematis Falls, Venus Baths near Halls Gap.
The remainder of the national park will remain closed until it is safe for people to return.
For a full list of the open and closed areas of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, visit www.parks.vic.gov.au.
Road closures
The Henty Highway is closed between Cavendish and Horsham. Information on updated road closures is available via 13 11 70 or the VicTraffic website traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au
Weather
Severe heatwave is forecast for most of southern Victoria. with conditions likely to develop over the weekend and intensify into next week. For information and resources to assist in preparing for extreme heat visit Department of Health website: Extreme heat and heatwaves
Useful information
After a fire: private drinking water and water tank safety 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. Avoid sourcing water from creeks Water drawn from deep bores or wells should continue to be safe to use.
After a fire: cleaning up a smoke affected home 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
More information is provided on your local council’s website and social media channels:
Hindmarsh Shire Council: www.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au
Horsham Rural City Council: www.hrcc.vic.gov.au
Northern Grampians Shire Council: www.ngshire.vic.gov.au
Southern Grampians Shire: www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au
Wildlife Welfare
If you see Wildlife impacted by fire, please call the Horsham Incident Control Centre Wildlife Coordinator on 1300 356 682
This number is for local members of the community to report wildlife impacted by fire.
Protect your health
Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 ( phone service discuss any health related issue with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Smoke from fires can increase air pollution , 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
Control Strategy
- Crews have undertaken preparedness works to create containment lines.
- The back burning fires will carry with dry conditions but this is a critical step in trying to bring the fire out to containment lines so it doesn’t gain momentum and spread with warm weather over the weekend.
- Back burning is challenging. We are lighting fire in dry, windy conditions.
- In the south, these will be undertaken in the Victoria Valley, working south to Victoria Point and up to the western side to stop it spreading into private property.
- In the north, we will burn into the valley, up Rose Creed Rd and back to Mt Victory Rd. Only option to contain this fire, as it is inaccessible to machinery or crews.
- We are preparing for when the winds move from a southerly to a northerly today, and another wind change to south westerly on Tuesday which will risk pushing that fire into communities.
- We’ve taken the time to protect the values that are there before we undertake burning out operations, whether they are cultural, environmental or physical assets.
- More than 500 registered Aboriginal places across the Grampians (Gariwerd) – scar trees, midden sites. Richest concentration of rock art in Victoria.
