Latest information on the Grampians fire and other emergency warnings and fire outbreaks; Australia vs India for the Third Test at the MCG; and the Sydney To Hobart blue water classic gets underway.
7pm: Goodnight. Back in the morning.
6:50pm: Australia is 311 for 6 at stumps on day one of the Boxing Day test with Smith on 68 and Cummins on 6.
5:57pm: A westerly wind change has been recorded in and near the fire area as a cool change sweeps across Victoria.
These wind changes can create dangerous fire conditions as the fire front rapidly changes direction.
5:46pm: We have been informed that Mt William remains operational at present but the radio transmitters, including CFA, police and ambulance are running on battery backup or a generator.
However, for safety reasons, crews are unable to attend the site to reconnect power, fuel the generator or replace depleted backup batteries.
If depleted, then Mt William could lose power and be unable to keep the CFA, police and ambulance on the air.
(With Tim McCallum, VK3TIM of Ballarat).
5:25pm: An Emergency “Leave Now” warning has been issued by the Country Fire Authority for Glenthompson, Kia Ora, Moyston, Stavely, Strathmore, Willaura, Willaura North. Bornes Hill, Moyston, North Boundary Road, Mafeking and Pomonal in the Grampians National Park area.
The fire warning area has increased significantly in size overnight.
Local residents are advised by authorities to evacuate.
It is now too late to leave for residents of Bornes Hill and Mafeking to leave and they are advised to seek shelter immediately.
The Horsham Incident Control Centre is working with electricty supplier Powercor to safely restore power to the Mt William telecommunications tower as soon as possible.
However, it is not yet safe for Powercor technicians to access the area to assess the extent of damage to the electricity network that supplies power to the radio towers, including the amateur radio repeater VK3RWU.
The Grampians bushfire is currently affecting the Grampians National Park and surrounding towns at Yarram Gap Road, Redman Road and Long Gully Road.
The fire is not yet under control and is now creating its own weather. It is likely the fire may break containment lines. The fire is currently travelling in a south-easterly direction.
There is the risk, due to wind, of an ember attack ahead of the fire front starting spot fires, which could become major fires rapidly in today’s weather conditions. Private property adjoining Grampians National Park may also be impacted.
5:15pm: Reigning overall winner Alive has become the first yacht to retire from the Sydney to Hobart yacht race as Master Lock Comanche maintains a comfortable lead down the NSW Coast.
4:25pm: Australia is 237-2 with Labuschagne on 72 and Smith on 42 runs;
3:24pm: Mt William communications equipment that keeps the CFA, police, ambulance on air, internet and mobile phone reception may be lost, taking CFA and emergency services off air.
3:18pm: An Emergency Warning has been issued for Glenthompson, Kia Ora, Moyston, Stavely, Strathmore, Willaura, and Willaura North from the Grampians National Park bushfire. Please stay informed.
1:42pm: Australia 119-1 in the 31st over;
1:15pm: Australia to resume shortly after lunch at 112-1;
1:10pm: The Victorian and Federal Governments have announced emergency payments for those affected by the Grampians fire.
Three relief centres are available for those affected in Stawell, Horsham and Ararat.
1:05pm: Live from the State Control Centre, Grampians fire now 55,000 hectares. Stock losses. Sheds and buildings lost. No reports of residential properties lost. “I would not be surprised if we have lost residential buildings.”
“We’re doing all we can.
“The community is listening.
“Do not rely on one source of information.
“Please avoid travel unless necessary.
“I thank our volunteers … and interstate firefighters who have come to help.”
12:45pm: Whilst the Australian and Indian take a lunch break for the Third Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the blue water classic, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race gets underway at 1pm.
12:31pm: It’s lunch at the MCG with Australia at 112-1 with India bowling 25 overs;
12:29pm: Australia 109-1 in the 24th over with Khawaja on 35 and Labuschagne on 12 runs;
12:09pm: Opener Konstas lbw by Jadeja for 60. Australia 89-1;
11:25am: Residents of Bornes Hill have been advised that it is too late to leave and to take shelter immediately;
11:14am: Australia is 37-0 from nine overs with Konstas at 20 runs & Khawaja at 16;
11:06am: Australia 26-0 from seven overs;
10:30am: Australia has won the toss and elected to bat first.
