The Blaze Slows Down, But Don’t Let Your Guard Down
The Grampians National Park bushfire may have slowed down, but it’s far from over. Despite the fire burning out of control and scorching over 75,000 hectares of land, authorities are warning residents to remain vigilant and monitor conditions closely.
A Break in the Spread, But the Fire Still Burns
According to VicEmergency, the spread of the bushfire has slowed, and all evacuation alerts have been reduced to “Watch and Act.” The fire is still burning in an easterly direction, fueled by west-south-west winds.
Glenelg Highway Reopens, But Smoke Continues to Choke the Region
The Glenelg Highway has reopened between Wickliffe and Dunkeld, but the fire is still producing a significant amount of smoke, which is moving across the west of the state due to strong winds.
A Cautionary Warning: Be Ready to Act
“The spread of the bushfire has slowed for now, but the situation can change at any time,” authorities warned. “You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.” With the fire expected to burn for weeks to come, residents are urged to stay alert and prepared.
A Challenging Boxing Day for Firefighters
Boxing Day brought extreme heat and wind, making conditions dangerous and challenging for Victorian firefighters. Wind gusts of up to 90km/h made it tough for crews to contain the blaze, which broached private land and changed direction, moving towards the east.
Lightning Strikes and Private Land Lost
Overnight, the wind shift resulted in 250 dry lightning strikes across The Mallee to Gippsland. Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner, Rick Nugent, praised the efforts of firefighters, who managed to stop the bushfire from encroaching on towns and residential homes. However, over 15,000 hectares of private land has been burned since the bushfire began last week.
The Impact on Local Residents
Sheds, outbuildings, water tanks, and livestock have been lost, but authorities are not aware of homes burned as of yet. North Grampians mayor Karen Hyslop said many Grampians residents had not been able to return home for 10 days, with dozens taking shelter at relief centers across the state.