In a dramatic turn of events, a fierce blaze that ignited in the Grampians National Park on Thursday has ballooned from 7,600 hectares to an astounding 28,000 hectares by Saturday morning. This rapidly escalating firestorm has thrown several communities into chaos, prompting urgent evacuation orders for residents across multiple towns, including Halls Gap, Lake Fyans, Pomonal, Bellfield, Flat Rock Crossing, Fyans Creek, Mafeking, Watgania, and Grampians Junction.
The VicEmergency service has issued a dire warning to those in the path of the fire: “Leaving immediately is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous.” The risks are severe, and those who opt to stay behind may find themselves beyond the reach of emergency assistance as the situation deteriorates.
By Saturday morning, the flames had already reached Lake Bellfield, marking a critical point in the fire’s relentless northern advance. In response to this growing threat, authorities have taken the unprecedented step of closing the entire national park, a beloved natural sanctuary now shrouded in smoke and danger.
To support the affected communities, a relief center has been swiftly set up at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre in Ararat. Here, evacuated residents find temporary refuge and support as they grapple with the uncertainty and upheaval brought on by this environmental disaster.
As the clock ticks down to 3:00 pm, the designated cut-off for safe evacuation, the urgency to act cannot be overstated. After this time, remaining in the area is deemed life-threatening, underscoring the perilous nature of the current situation. With the fire’s ferocity showing no signs of abating, the need for vigilance and swift action is paramount as the Grampians blaze continues its destructive march.
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