Grampians fire update

The Grampians National Park bushfire, started by a lightning strike on Monday, December 16, has now burned more than 76,000 hectares.

Sadly, four homes have been destroyed in Moyston and Mafeking, as well as 41 outbuildings, fences and livestock. Livestock losses include many sheep.

The fire is still not yet under control, though milder weather conditions over the past few days have allowed firefighters to carry out burning operations in the northeastern section of the fire.

Increased winds and warmer weather are forecast over the next few days and the upcoming weekend (January 4-5, 2025). The predicted weekend’s higher temperatures may elevate the fire danger.

Hundreds of CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFM) crews continue to work on the fire each day, supported by emergency sector partners including FRV, VICSES and local government, including incident management staff and firefighters from interstate.

A Watch and Act warning is still in place for the Long Gully Road to College Road area, east of Mt William. Many trees have been impacted by fire and it’s not safe to enter. Trees are being assessed and treated over the coming days to allow for safe access.

There is also a Watch and Act warning in place in the eastern side of the Grampians National Park from Moyston to Bornes Hill (including Mafeking and Watgania).

Residents are only allowed to return to their properties through traffic management points, and proof of address is required.

Chief Officer Jason Heffernan was full of praise for CFA firefighters and also appreciated the support from interstate emergency services.

“Boxing Day was a significant day of readiness and response for CFA as we dealt with a very challenging fire threat in an area already devastated by fires earlier this year,” Mr Heffernan said.

He also said we had deployed multiple strike teams to the Grampians fire and hundreds of firefighters on the ground each day.

“Many hundreds of other CFA members gave up their Christmas and Boxing Day commitments with family and friends to support the work in incident control centres at state level and in their local areas. This is in addition to the many partner agencies across the sector who are contributing crucial resources.

“We are grateful for the additional support from our interstate colleagues in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT, which provided some welcome respite for our crews.”

Scoresby Fire Brigade Firefighter Ross Walker, who joined a Strike Team, sacrificed his Boxing Day with his family to travel to the Grampians. When he arrived, he was immediately deployed on a night shift.

“The first night was full on,” Ross said. “We left Moyston Fire Station and drove to Pomonal just off Long Gully Road where we were asked to protect houses. It was a very dynamic situation. One moment we were driving in complete darkness and the next moment we were surrounded by fire and we had to drive through it.

Ross’s crew waited for a dozer to run a control line and then they protected several houses.

“The wind was crazy. Really strong. We saw a running grassfire caused by embers and we jumped on it and put it out.”

Finding water to fill up the tanker was a challenge, but a local resident helped out by allowing some trucks to fill up from his dam.

After an uncomfortably hot day trying to sleep, Ross’s second night was much calmer.

“We blacked out an area where the fire had come through and we drove around the area to make sure there were no active fires. We also recorded the position of dangerous trees so that they could be made safe.

“I’ve been to South Australia, NSW and all over Victoria on strike teams,” Ross said. “Seeing people who have lost homes puts things into perspective.

“If I’d been asked to go to the Grampians on Christmas Day I would have gone. It would have been hard as I have a young family, but I would have done it. As a CFA volunteer, it’s about people needing you more than anyone else in your life. I have a supportive wife who is happy for me to help others.

“I want to help people during their most trying and difficult times and do something that makes a difference.”