6.30PM:
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Firefighters have stopped the spread of the grassfire in the Moyston area and fire activity has subsided. Rain has significantly eased fire conditions. The grassfire is still not yet under control but remains within containment lines.
The immediate threat has subsided, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
The relief centre at Lake Bolac has closed at 5pm.
A community meeting will be held 1pm Sunday at the Moyston Town Hall.
Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and roads.
Traffic Management Points are in place at the following locations:
- Ararat-Halls Gap Rd at Pomonal
- Ararat-Halls Gap Rd at Rhymney Rd
- Moyston-Great Western Rd at Rhymney Rd
- Moyston-Dunkeld Rd at Morass Rd
- Moyston-Willaura Rd at Andrews Lane
- Mortlake-Ararat Rd at Maroona ? Glenthompson Rd
- Mortlake-Ararat Rd at Wills Hill Rd
Note for farmers who have affected livestock. You may take action to humanely destroy animals provided you:
- Contact your insurance agency as soon as possible.
- Take photographs to show condition of livestock.
- Record any other information that insurer requests.
- Record numbers of animals dead or destroyed.
12.45PM:
The MOYSTON grassfire is currently not yet under control.
The warning issued for MAROONA has now been downgraded to Watch and Act.
The head of the fire has been halted, however there is high risk that extreme weather conditions today could cause fire activity to increase and possible over run containment lines. Warnings levels may rise and fall as conditions change throughout the day.
Firefighters, aircraft and heavy equipment will be working on this fire all day. The fire is approximately 4700ha in size.
Erratic winds are predicted this afternoon and a wind change is expected early in the evening.
Relief Centres are in place at the Ararat Town Hall and Lake Bolac Sporting Complex.
Traffic Management Points are in place at the following locations:
- Ararat –Halls Gap Rd at Pomonal
- Ararat –Halls Gap Rd at Rhymney Rd
- Moyston– Great Western Rd at Rhymney Rd
- Moyston– Dunkeld Rd at Morass Rd
- Moyston– Willaura Rd at Andrews Lane
- Mortlake– Ararat Rd at Maroona – Glenthompson Rd
- Mortlake– Ararat Rd at Wills Hill Rd
9AM:
EMERGENCY WARNING FOR MAROONA
The CFA has warned there is the risk of a fast moving, out of control grassfire travelling in a south-westerly direction from Burrumbeep Road towards Maroona. This is the southern edge of the Better Route Rd - Moyston grassfire that started yesterday.
Maroona could be impacted anytime within the next 2 hours.
Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency Services may not be able to help if you decide to stay.
Travel to:
- The Relief Centre at Lake Bolac
- The home of family or friends if they are well south of the warning area. Driving north or west is not safe.
Safety Information:
If you are unable to leave the area, take shelter indoors.
If you cannot get indoors, other last resort options include:
A large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
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 travelling, do not enter the area, U-turn to safety.
If you are away from home, do not return.
More than 100 people attended a community meeting at Alexandra Oval in Ararat last night.
6.15PM
5PM
THE fire has now crossed the Mortlake-Ararat Road.
The Country Fire Authority has issued an updated emergency warning for Moyston, Rocky Point, Willaura North and Maroona.
WHAT WE KNOW
The fire, which broke out about 11.52am, passed through Moyston about 2pm and is travelling south-easterly towards Burrumbeep Road and Andrews Lane.
Emergency Warning has been issued for Moyston, Rocky Point and Willaura North, with a 1750ha grassfire travelling in a south-easterly direction.
61 Trucks and 9 aircraft are on scene fighting the fire
Road closures are being put in place and include: Ararat and Halls Gap Rd near the Rhymney intersection, Ararat and Halls Gap Rd at Pomonal, Moyston Willaura Rd, Moyston Great Western Rd and Moyston Dunkeld Rd.
3.10PM
THERE are reports one house has been lost in the Moyston fire.
2.55PM
Second, separate warning issued for Moyston. Watch & Act in place for Rocky Point, Cathcart, Denicull Creek, Maroona, Langi Logan
2.40PM
AN EMERGENCY warning has been extended to Willaura North, along with Moyston and Rocky Point.
There is a fast-moving, out of control grassfire travelling in a south-easterly direction past Moyston.
It is heading towards the Burrumbeep Road and Andrews Lane.
The CFA warns the fire impacts properties south-east of Moyston within the next half an hour.
It warns people are in danger and it is too late to leave.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
EARLIER
DEPARTMENT of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) has issued an Emergency Warning for an out of control grass fire.
DEPI has advised there is a fast moving out of control grassfire travelling in a South Easterly direction past the Moyston township and is heading towards the Burrumbeep Road and Andrews Lane.
This fire may impact properties South East of Moyston within the next half hour.
Now included in the Emergency Warning are the areas of Rocky Point and Willaura North.
You are in danger, act now to protect yourself.
It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
The CFA has also just issued a Watch and Act alert for the areas of Rocky Point, Cathcart, Denicull Creek, Maroona and Langi Logan.
A Relief Centre is located at the Ararat Town Hall. This is located at the Corner of Barkly Street and Vincent Street.
Road closures are currently being put in place:
- Ararat Halls Gap Road at Jallukur (near Pomonal) and west of Ararat at the Rhymney intersection.
- Moyston Willaura Road at the Andrews Rd intersection.
- Moyston Great Western Road at the Rhymney Rd intersection.
- Moyston Dunkeld Road at Barton Station.
If you are travelling, do not enter the area, U-turn to safety.
If you are away from home, do not return.
For life or property threatening emergencies call 000
If you need medical advice for burns or smoke exposure call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024
Ararat Relief Centre is located at the Ararat Town Hall. This is located at the Corner of Barkly Street and Vincent Street.
Stay Informed:
- Via www.emergency.vic.gov.au
- Tune to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations or Sky News TV
- Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667
- Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.
- For help with English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to telephone VBIL. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.
- Download the FireReady App and follow CFA_Updates on Twitter (#VicFires) or Facebook.
- Road Closures: check VicRoads Website.
For more, head to the CFA website http://warnings.cfa.vic.gov.au/#