BY ASHLEY GEELAN with AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS
February 4, 2025:
9:45pm: The earlier EMERGENCY WARNING (at 7:25pm) has been downgraded to a Watch and Act.
However, residents in the area should remain alert and informed of current conditions as they could change at any time.
7:25pm: An EMERGENCY WARNING has been issued for Brimpaen, Cherrypool, Glenisla, Glenisla Crossing, Grampians, Hynes, Mooralla, Nurrabiel, Rocklands, Telangatuk East and Zumsteins.
Ther Grampians National Park is not yet under control and travelling quickly in a north-easterly direction from the Victoria Valley within the park.
The fire is being driven by strong winds.
This bushfire could impact Red Rock Rd any time between 7:30pm and 8:30pm.
Tune your portable radio to ABC Wimmera on 594kHz AM now.
2:15pm: A Watch and Act message to LEAVE NOW has been issued by the CFA for the area West of Kaniva-Edenhope Road.
The bushfire is travelling from Little Desert National Park in a north-easterly direction towards Lillimur South.
This bushfire in the Little Desert National Park is not yet under control.
A predicted weather change this afternoon could impact the fire and residents of nearby towns are advised to remain alert and tune a battery-powered radio to ABC Wimmera on 594kHz AM.
9am: The EMERGENCY WARNING for Mirranatwa remains in place.
The Watch and Act message issued for Cavendish, Mona Park, Mooralla, Rocklands, Woohlpooer Goroke, Kaniva, Minimay, Morea and Peronne remains in place.
The Watch and Act message issued for Aire Valley, Apollo Bay, Cape Horn, Cape Otway, Glenaire, Hordern Vale and Killala.
There are bushfires in Hordern Vale and at Cape Horn that are not yet under control also remain in place.
Conditions are expected to change rapidly when a cool change crosses Victoria from South Australia this afternoon. Firefighters are concerned as rapid wind gusts and changes in wind direction could change the direction of the firefront and also carry embers that ignite new fires ahead of the main firefront.
There is also the risk of dry lightning which could ignite new fires.
February 3, 2025:
2:45pm: The EMERGENCY WARNING for Mirranatwa remains in place.
A Watch and Act message has been issued for Cavendish, Mona Park, Mooralla, Rocklands, Woohlpooer Goroke, Kaniva, Minimay, Morea and Peronne.
A Watch and Act message has also been issued for Aire Valley, Apollo Bay, Cape Horn, Cape Otway, Glenaire, Hordern Vale and Killala.
There are bushfires in Hordern Vale and at Cape Horn that are not yet under control.
Further information be found on the VicEmergency website or download the VicEmergency app to your device.
8:57am: EMERGENCY WARNING for Mirranatwa. You are advised to LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.
Firefighters are actively working on the bushfire at Grampians National Park – Victoria Range (Bullawin) that is not yet under control.
The fire is travelling from Grampians National Park in a southerly direction and has crossed Red Hills Rd and is heading towards Jensens Rd.
A Watch and Act remains in place for all other areas of the Grampians National Park.
February 1, 2025:
12:30pm: A Watch and Act message is currently in place in the Grampians area for Cavendish, Mona Park, Mooralla, Victoria Point, Cavendish, Mona Park, Mooralla, Brimpaen, Wartook, Zumsteins,
These bushfires are not yet under control.
An Advice message has been issued for areas north and west of the Grampians including the western part of Brimpaen, Cherrypool, Telangatuk East, the western part of Rocklands and Gatum.
Firefighters may burn out any unburnt areas along the edge of the Grampians National Park on either side of the Victoria Range to build containment lines.
This work is to build protection in advance for a change of wind direction that is expected to occur later on Saturday, which will increase fire activity towards the south.
Residents of the area are advised to monitor conditions as they could change at any time. Residents should tune a portable radio to ABC Wimmera (3WV) on 594kHz AM for up-to-date information.
January 31, 2025:
4:00pm: A Watch and Act message has been issued for Bullawin, Woohlpooer, the northern part of Mooralla, Glenisla, Hynes, and the eastern side of Rocklands.
This fire is not yet under control.
If weather conditions are favourable firefighters may backburn any unburnt areas along the edge of the Grampians National Park on either side of the Victoria Range to build containment lines.
The backburning is to build protection before a change of wind direction to a northerly wind expected to occur on Saturday afternoon.
There are concerns that these fires could merge with several days of northerly winds and temperatures expected in the high 30s to low 40s over the weekend.
This situation could change at any time.
A relief centre is open daily from 9:00am to 7:00pm at the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, 113 Brown Street, Hamilton.
7:00am: No Emergency Warnings are currently in place however a Watch and Act message remains for residents of Big Cord, Strachans and the Victoria Valley.
This bushfire is not yet under control.
Overnight, fire crews began burning out the area between Red Hill Road and Bullawin Road in preparation for forecast changes in weather temperature and wind direction.
The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.
Firefighters are working around the clock to prevent the Grampians and Little Desert fire from merging with the heatwave conditions expected from Saturday to Tuesday, February 4 with the risk of dry lightning predicted for Sunday afternoon.
January 30, 2025:
4:50pm: EMERGENCY WARNING for Cherrypool, Glenisla, Glenisla Crossing, Hynes, Mooralla, the northern part of Rocklands Reservoir, Woohlpooer, and the eastern part of the Black Range State Park. YOU NEED TO ACT NOW TO SURVIVE.
The fire is travelling in a northerly direction towards Billywing Road and Glenisla and may impact private property in Glenisla in the next few hours.
If you are in the Glenisla, northern Rocklands, Hynes & Cherrypool area you should head north along the Henty Highway to Horsham.
Tune your radio to ABC Wimmera on 594kHz AM for live information.
3:50pm: EMERGENCY WARNING for Glenisla, Hynes, Mooralla and the eastern side of Rocklands Reservoir, Woohlpooer.
The bushfire Grampians National Park – Victoria Range is not yet under control with the fire travelling in a northerly direction towards Billywing Road and Glenisla.
This fire may impact private property near Glenisla in the next few hours.
Leaving immediately is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous to leave.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay. Remember to take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
A ‘Watch and Act’ warning has also been issued for Big Cord, Glenisla Crossing, Mooralla, the top section of Rocklands Reservoir, Strachans, Victoria Valley and Zumsteins.
The fire situation could change at any time. It is strongly advised that you monitor conditions and be ready to act.
12:30pm: EMERGENCY WARNING: Residents of Mooralla and Woohlpooer are advised to leave immediately. The bushfire in the Grampians National Park, Victoria Range is not yet under control. You need to act now to survive.
There was a significant increase in fire activity overnight has caused the fire to spread in multiple directions.
Leaving immediately is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous.
A Watch and Act warning also remains in place for nearby townships.
The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act and residents of the area are advised to tune a battery-powered transistor radio to ABC Wimmera on 594kHz AM.
5:30am: EMERGENCY WARNING: An ‘Emergency Warning’ is now in place for Glenisla, Mooralla, Rocklands and Woohlpooer.
The northwest edge of the fire has crossed Billywing Track and is heading northwest towards the Henty Highway.
The fire is currently 18 kilometres northeast of Cavendish and is not yet under control.
There has been a significant increase in fire activity causing the fire to spread in multiple directions.
The fire may impact private land on the western edge at various points between Hoffmans Rd and Woohlpooer Rd in the next hour.
Leaving immediately is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency services may not be able to help you, should you decide to stay.
A Watch and Act message remains in place for Brimpaen, Wartook and Zumsteins for a fire that is not yet under control.
This bushfire has crossed Asses Ears Road and is currently travelling in a northerly direction towards Rosebrook Glenisla Road.
The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.
January 29, 2025:
10:30pm: Watch and Act. A bushfire at School Lane, Christmas Hills, is now under control. There is currently no threat to local communities. However, residents in the area should continue to stay informed, monitor local conditions and prepare to activate their fire plans.
9:01pm: EMERGENCY WARNING: A bushfire is 18 kilometres northeast of Cavendish that is not yet under control.
The bushfire has crossed Harrops Track and is heading in a north-westerly direction towards Woohlopper.
Residents of Woohlpooer could be impacted at any time within the next hour and should prepare to evacuate immediately.
There is also a bushfire in the Grampians National Park, Wallaby Rocks area, that is not yet under control.
This fire is now impacting private property between Schmidts Road and Wartook Rise.
8:30pm: EMERGENCY WARNING: An “emergency, leave now” warning is in place for Brimpaen, Wartook and Zumsteins.
A relief centre is open at Horsham Senior Citizens Centre at 17 Roberts Avenue, Horsham.
The Grampians National Park – Wallaby Rocks fire is not yet under control and is now impacting private property between Schmidts Road and Wartook Rise.
Residents in these areas are advised to act now to survive.
A bushfire in the Grampians National Park in the Wallaby Rocks area near Zumsteins is not yet under control. The bushfire is travelling in a northerly direction and impacting parts of Wartook between Schmidts Road and Wartook Rise.
Residents of surrounding areas including Lawloit, Kinimakatka, Winiam, Gerang Gerung, Dimboola west of the Wimmera River, Duchembegarra and Nurcoung are advised to monitor conditions.
A fire in the Victoria Range is not yet under control.
Smoke from the fires may be experienced in communities north of the Little Desert, including Nhill and Kiata. It may persist for a few days.
Residents are advised to tune in to ABC Wimmera on 594kHz AM and prepare to evacuate. Residents in the area should also activate fire plans and prepare to evacuate.
Fire conditions can change at any moment. If you live in the area you need to act now to survive.
SOURCE: State Control Centre, Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Forest Fire Management (FFV), Victoria.
2:00pm: A Watch and Act “leave now” message remains in place for Glenisla, Mooralla, Strachans, Victoria Valley and Woohlpooer.
This bushfire is travelling from Strachans in the Victoria Range towards Harrops Track.
These bushfires are not yet under control. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Forest Fire Management (DEWLP) have advised.
Warnings remain in place for the Little Desert National Park and surrounding areas including Lawloit, Kinimakatka, Winiam, Gerang Gerung, Dimboola west of the Wimmera River, Duchembegarra and Nurcoung.
Brimpaen, Cherrypool, Cranage, Glenisla, Glenisla Crossing, Wartook, Zumsteins, Flat Rock Crossing and Laharum are also urged to prepare and activate their fire plans.
There is also a bushfire in the Grampians National Park in the Wallaby Rocks area near Zumsteins that is not yet under control. The fire is travelling in a northerly direction towards Wartook.
9:30am: A Watch & Act remains in place for Glenisla, Strachans and Victoria Valley residents.
The bushfire is travelling from Strachans in the Victoria Range in a northerly direction towards Mt Thackeray.
8:30am: Minor losses south of the railway line in Dimboola, except for two buildings that were put out quickly. The popular Little Desert Nature Lodge – has been destroyed after the blaze ignited at 1.30pm on Monday, January 27, about 15km north of Goroke.
“The CFA has advised residents of the evacuated Dimboola and Wail that it is safe to return to the Wimmera towns as firefighters gain the upper hand in the fight against the Little Desert National Park bushfire.” the Wimmera Mail-Times reports.
January 28, 2025:
10:30pm: All fires in Victoria have now been downgraded from Emergency alerts to “watch and act” notices. However, if you live in, or near, the impacted areas it is advised to remain alert and keep a radio tuned o ABC Wimmera on 594kHz AM.
6:36pm: The Little Desert National Park and surrounding areas including Lawloit, Kinimakatka, Winiam, Gerang Gerung, Dimboola west of the Wimmera River, Duchembegarra and Nurcoung may be impacted by fire. Activate your fire plan and tune to ABC Wimmera on 594kHz AM.
10:16am: The fire front is 12km south of Nhill according to reports from amateur radio operators, including a local firefighter/amateur radio operator/journalist, Jamie Chandler.
05:57am: EMERGENCY WARNING: The Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DEWLP) have re-issued a bushfire warning for the Little Desert National Park area for a fire that is not yet under control.
The bushfire is travelling from Little Desert in an easterly direction and is now impacting Dimboola.
It is too late to leave the area safely. You must take shelter now.
The Western Highway between Hamilton and NSW is closed to traffic, VicRoads reports.
There is also a bushfire at Victoria Valley, Bullawin Road that is impacting the Grampians, Mirranatwa and Victoria Valley. This fire is out of control.
Do not travel in the area unless necessary.
An evacuation centre is open at the Horsham Senior Citizens Centre, 17 Roberts Avenue, Horsham.
Tune your radio to ABC Wimmera on 594kHz AM for live updates.
Firefighters are battling a fast-moving bushfire in Victoria’s west that has grown large enough to generate its own weather system, forcing the evacuation of a Wimmera town.
Dimboola, with a population of 1635, and Wail are under an emergency warning telling residents to take shelter now as a fire that started in the Little Desert National Park on Monday afternoon burns out of control.
The next update is expected by 11:30am or if the situation changes.
00:33am: EMERGENCY WARNING: Residents of Gerang Gerung, Kiata, Kinimakatka, Lawloit, Little Desert, Miram, Winiam and Winiam East should activate their fire plans and evacuate immediately.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
- Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from pure cotton or wool. Wear leather boots.
- Bring pets inside.
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and 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.
- Move away from the rooms that are on fire, closing doors behind you.
- As soon as the bushfire has passed the house, or conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt. Staying inside a burning building will almost certainly end in death.
- It may still be too hot to remain outside, so you will need to seek shelter in another structure or a last resort option.
If you cannot get indoors, last resort options include:
- Sheltering in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
- A large body of water like a dam, lake, river, ocean or inground pool.
- Try to protect yourself from the fire’s heat.
January 27, 2025:
23:57pm: EMERGENCY WARNING. DIMBOOLA This fire is threatening homes and lives.
It is too late to leave the area safely. You must take shelter now.
The time to safely evacuate has passed. You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
22:41pm: According to sources the fire has “jumped the Wimmera River” and is heading towards the Dimboola township.
Residents in the area should activate their fire plan immediately and prepare to evacuate.
8:56pm: The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has issued an “evacuate now” warning to residents of Dimboola, Gerang Gerung, Kiata, Kinimakatka, Lawloit, Little Desert, Winiam and Winiam East, advising residents to take shelter immediately.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is now too late to leave.
