Type Status Location Last Updated
Emergency Warning - Fire - Leave Immediately Extreme Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Grampians Junction, Halls Gap, Fyans Creek Yesterday at 5:48 PM
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Bellfield, Bellfield Settlement, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek, Grampians Junction, Halls Gap. 

  • This Emergency Warning replaces the Emergency Warning - Evacuate Immediately issued at 1:05pm Saturday 21/12/2024. 
  • There is a bushfire at Grampians National Park - Yarram Gap Road that is not yet under control. 
  • The bushfire is travelling from Grampians National Park in a northerly direction towards Halls Gap. 
  • The bushfire has reached Lake Bellfield. 
Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. If you have already left, it is not safe to return. 

Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
What you should do: 

Travel to a safer location. Options include:
  • A relief center in either Stawell or Ararat.
  • The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
  • You should leave using Grampians Road and head towards Stawell.
  • When you leave remember to take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Relief Centres are now open at:
  • Alexandra Oval Community Centre 1 Waratah Ave, Ararat. 
  • Grampians Community Health, known as "The Shacc" 22 Patrick Street Stawell.

In the car: 
  • If you are travelling, do not enter the area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety.
  • Slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.

If you are unable to leave you should shelter indoors:
  • Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. 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 and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt. 

If you cannot get indoors, other 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 caught in fire in your car:
  • Park 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: 
  • Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
  • Embers can be carried by the wind large distances ahead of the main fire and start spot fires.
Grampians National Park Visitor Information:
The Grampians National Park is closed to visitors. For further details please visit the website: Parks Victoria - Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park 
This messages was issued by Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning.

The next update is expected by 22/12/2024 09:50 am or as the situation changes.

Use multiple sources to stay informed: 
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 on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.