UPDATE: 11.15am:
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Here’s some important information:
This is a guide to road closures across the south-west:
UPDATE, Sunday, 9.15am: More than 120 people took shelter at the Warrnambool Stadium overnight as fires raged through the south-west.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell was at the centre this morning and said there were people who had fled from the fires at Hawkesdale, near Penshurst and Garvoc.
She said she had been told at least two houses had been lost at Hawkesdale and lots of farmland had been burnt.
“There are lots of people affected,” Mrs Britnell said.
She said the mood at the centre was supportive although apprehensive about what had been lost.
Mrs Britnell herself and her family had a frightening experience as they sheltered in their Woolsthorpe home from the “horrific” wind storm that helped fuel the fire before she came to the evacuation centre early this morning.
She said her family saw a red glow on the horizon after about 7pm last night and contacted neighbours to get more information.
“The wind was horrific,” Mrs Britnell said.
“It was about 100 kilometres an hour.
“There were branches and gum nuts hitting the windows.”
She and her daughter and a friend headed to Warrnambool with the dogs and precious photos while her husband Glen went to a fire station to help.
However by the time she got to Mailors Flat, the wind calmed down and her husband Glen contacted her to say the situation was calming.
She and her group then went to the Woolsthorpe fire station where about 20 people had gathered.
There they heard about the worsening fire situation across the south-west before they returned home.
They remained on alert at home throughout the night, their anxiety increasing with the loss of power and phone landlines.
She said the loss of power meant they couldn’t recharge the rapidly dwindling power in their mobile phones and couldn’t keep in contact with fire alerts on the broadcast media.
To keep in touch with emergency services broadcasts, they drove a vehicle up close to the house and listened to its radio until the power returned about 6am.
UPDATE 9am: Terang fire
The Terang fire is likely to join up with the Garvoc fire today, Colac incident controller Andrew Morrow says.
The fire is still burning out of control.
"We are anticipating the Terang fire will meet up with the Terang fire," Mr Morrow said.
"It will have a westerly wind pushing it towards the Terang fire."
Mr Morrow said the Terang fire started about 9.30pm on Saturday night.
"A number of fires occurred, with very strong winds," he said.
"It started at Terang and burnt down towards Scotts Creek. The most recent mapping shows about 6500 hectares have burnt, however it will be larger than that."
Mr Morrow said a wind change would increase the fire.
"We expect the Eastern flank to spread out," he said.
"The immediate focus is on places like Simpson and Cobden and surrounding areas."
He said aircraft was going to be deployed along with heavy helicopters to fight the blaze.
He confirmed there had been some loss of houses and property, but the extent of the damage was still unknown.
"That will be a priority today to assess the impact and organise support and relief for people," Mr Morrow said.
"We will be getting a closer sense of the impact of the fire and looking at what may be appropriate timing for community meetings. There will be further planning this morning."
He said it had been a "very challenign night for firefighters and for the community".
"Relief centres have been set up at Killara in Camperdown, Cobden Civic Centre and the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club," he said.
"There's also a large number of road closures in place, from the Princes Highway to the Great Ocean Road," he said.
UPDATE, Sunday, 9am: POLICE are warning people to stay away from the fire areas as traffic will be majorly impacted throughout Sunday.
Warrnambool police Sergeant Chris Moloney said traffic management points had been established and travellers could expect to be restricted from entering the fire areas.
He said there was a traffic management point at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Great Ocean Road which also cover those wanting to travel Cobden-Warrnambool Road.
"People need to be aware that in a lot of cases they will not be allowed into those areas," he said.
Sergeant Moloney said the Princes Highway was closed at Garvoc.
The Garvoc-Laang Road is closed from the intersection with the Princes Highway.
The Terang-Cobden Road is closed from the intersection with the Port Campbell Road.
Ayreford Road is closed from the intersection with the Princes Highway.
Naroghid Road is closed from the intersection Saddlers Road and Cross Forest Road.
Camperdown-Cobden Road is closed from intersection with Bowen Road.
Sunday, 8.20am: HOMES, sheds and stock have been destroyed in two fires at Gazette, near Hawkesdale, and at Garvoc.
Warrnambool incident controller for the fires, Henry Barton said the two fires started about 9.30pm Saturday and had burnt out about 15,000 hectares.
The number of homes destroyed is currently not known and Country Fire Authority rapid impact assessment teams will be carrying out an audit this morning.
There have been no significant reports of injuries or any deaths.
Mr Barton said the Gazette fire started north-west of Hawkesdale, and west of Penshurst about 9.30pm, and was fanned by strong north winds.
It burnt about 10,000 hectares, by-passing the wind farms but getting within about two kilometres of Hawkesdale.
Parts of that fire are now contained.
Mr Barton said that with the westerly wind change expected soon, aircraft would be working with firefighters on the ground to control the eastern flank of the blaze.
"There have been some property loses, we are not sure of the extent of those loses," he said.
Mr Barton said a second fire started about 9.30pm Saturday between The Sister and Garvoc.
"Again some houses have been lost but we are uncertain of the full extent of the losses at this stage," he said.
"That fire burnt about 5000 hectares. Some parts of that blaze are now contained this morning and aircraft will again work with firefighters on the ground to bring it under control."
Mr Barton said that as well as the two main fires there were a large number of smaller fires in the Hawkesdale and Garvoc districts.
Fire crews were so stretched that it took time for all those fires to be fought.
Mr Barton said the preliminary view was that very strong winds caused power lines to clash which may have sparked the fires.
"There was another significant fire south of Cobden-Warrnambool Road near the Ralph Illidge Sanctuary which burnt mainly grassland," he said.
"That fire covered about 150 hectares, fortunately did not get into the bush and it is contained."
A relief centre has been set up at Warrnambool Stadium in Caramut Road where about 140 people impacted by the fires have gathered.
Mr Barton said overnight rain assisted fire fighters.
"Although we did not have a whole lot of rain, it certainly helped," he said.
"It allowed us to get ahead of both fires. We've been very lucky.
"With the expected strong westerly winds we can't determine how far the fire will spread to the east but that will be our focus this morning.
"Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft will be working on that flank."
Mr Barton said firefighters had performed brilliantly under extraordinary pressure.
"They had been up all day and started fighting fires from 9.30pm until now. We are only now changing crews," he said.
"Firefighters had an extremely hard night. As of now, parts of both the Gazette and Garvoc fires are contained.
"We'll be using aircraft this morning to assist contain the rest of the fires," he said.
Update 7.45am: An emergency warning has been issued for issued for Ayrford, Bostocks Creek, Brucknell, Bullaharre, Carpendeit, Cobden, Cobrico, Cowleys Creek, Curdies River, Dixie, Ecklin South, Elingamite, Elingamite North, Garvoc, Glenfyne, Jancourt, Jancourt East, Mumblin, Nirranda East, Nullawarre, Scotts Creek, Simpson, South Purrumbete, Tandarook, Tandarook South, Taroon, Tesbury, Timboon.
- There is a grassfire at TERANG that is not yet under control.
- The grassfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Timboon.
A westerly wind change is expected and will impact on the fire later this morning
You are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
Do not get in the car and drive. It is safer to stay where you are.
Update, Sunday 7.30am: A Bushfire emergency warning was issued soon after 7am that a wind change was imminent in the next two hours for Garvoc and The Sisters districts which could impact on fires in those areas.
Update 12.33am: An Evacuate Now warning has been issued for Hawkesdale.
The Emergency Victoria website says that “it is strongly recommended that you Evacuate Now if you are located in Hawkesdale.”
There is a bushfire at Hawkesdale that is not yet under control
This fire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Hawkesdale township.
The fire is expected to impact Hawkesdale at 1am.
If you are located in Hawkesdale, it is strongly recommended that you evacuate now and seek shelter at The Arc Gymnasium Stadium located on the Caramut Road in Warrnambool.
The Arc Stadium is located next to the Warrnambool Sale yards.
If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you. This warning is current to 18/03/2018 01:30 am. Evacuation after this time is considered life threatening. After 18/03/2018 01:30 am it may be too late to leave, shelter indoors when the fire arrives - protect yourself from the radiant heat.
UPDATE 12.29am: Fresh emergency warnings have been issued for areas near Cobden and Scotts Creek.
The emergency warning was issued for Bostocks Creek, Bullaharre, Cobden, Cobrico, Dixie, Ecklin South, Elingamite, Elingamite North, Jancourt, South Purrumbete, Tandarook, Tandarook South, Tesbury.
There is a grassfire at Terang that is not yet under control.
The grassfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Timboon.
A separate emergency warning was also issued for Ayrford, Brucknell, Bullaharre, Carpendeit, Cobden, Cowleys Creek, Curdies River, Ecklin South, Elingamite, Elingamite North, Glenfyne, Jancourt, Jancourt East, Mumblin, Nirranda East, Nullawarre, Scotts Creek, Simpson, Taroon, Timboon.
Please refer to emergency websites for details.
Meanwhile, Corangamite Shire posted on its Facebook page that it had opened the Killara Centre in Camperdown and Cobden Civic Hall as relief centres.
UPDATE 12.10am: There are more than 17,000 people without power in western Victoria.
UPDATE 11.52pm: A relief centre has been established in Warrnambool for people affected by the fires.
It is at the Warrnambool Arc Stadium, which is located on Caramut Road.
For the most up-to-date information visit http://emergency.vic.gov.au and stay tuned to ABC Local Radio on 91.3 FM.
Update 11.42pm: An emergency warning has been issued for Ayrford, Brucknell, Curdies River, Ecklin South, Laang, Naringal East, Nirranda East.
There is a bushfire at AYRFORD that is not yet under control.
The bushfire is travelling in a southerly direction towards Brucknell-Nirranda East.
Communities identified in this message could be impacted anytime within the next 4 hours. Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
Update 10:50: An emergency warning is being issued for Buckley Swamp, Byaduk, Gazette, Gerrigerrup, Mount Napier, Penshurst, Tabor, Yatchaw, Warrabkook.
There is a bushfire at Gazzette that is not yet under control.
The bushfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction Penhurst.
A watch and act message has been issued for Hawkesdale, Minhamite.
There is a grassfire at Hawkesdale that is not yet under control
This grassfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Penhurst.
This watch and act message has also been issued for Ayrford, Brucknell, Curdies River, Ecklin South, Laang, Naringal East, Nirranda East, Nullawarre, Nullawarre North, Timboon.
There is a bushfire at Ayrford that is not yet under control.
The bushfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Brucknell.
These warnings are on top of the Emergency Warning for Boorcan, Camperdown, Gnotuk, Naroghid and a separate one for Garvoc.
There is also a watch and act message for Boorcan, Cobrico, Dixie, Elingamite North, Naroghid, Terang.
A seperate watch and act message has been issued for Dixie, Ecklin South, Garvoc, Laang, Mumblin, Naringal East, Panmure, Taroon.
For what to do if you have an emergency warning see previous updates below or seek advice from appropriate authorities.
Update 10.33pm: A watch and act advice at Garvoc has now been upgraded to an emergency warning.
“Things are happening quite fast,” a CFA spokesperson said.
There is a grassfire at Garvoc-Laang Road, Garvoc that is out of control.
The grassfire is travelling towards Garvoc.
Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
If your home is surrounded by grasslands, and you are not in an estate, you should immediately shelter within your home. It is not safe for you to leave.
What you should do
Travel to: The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
In the car: If you are travelling, do not enter the area, U-turn to safety.
Slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.
If you stay seek shelter indoors:
Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and turn off cooling systems.
Shelter in a room that has a door and or a window to the outside - It is critical to keep an eye on what is happening with the fire.
Impacts in your area:
Grassfires can spread quickly and are extremely dangerous.
This messages was issued by Country Fire Authority.
The next update is expected by 18/03/2018 12:40 am or as the situation changes.
Health information:
If you need medical advice for burns or exposure to smoke, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call 000.
Smoke information:
Smoke can affect people's health.
People with heart or lung conditions (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.
People with existing heart or lung conditions (including asthma) should follow the treatment plan advised by the doctor.
Stay informed:
Via www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Call the VicEmergency Hotline to talk to someone about this warning on freecall 1800 226 226.
People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech/communication impairment can contact VicEmergency Hotline 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 VicEmergency Hotline. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.
Download the VicEmergency app or follow VicEmergency on Twitter (#vicfires) or Facebook.
UPDATE 10:15pm: An emergency warning has been issued for Boorcan, Camperdown, Gnotuk, Naroghid.
There is a grassfire at Gnotuk that is out of control.
The grassfire is travelling in a easterly direction towards the Camperdown Golf Club.
Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
If your home is surrounded by grasslands, and you are not in an estate, you should immediately shelter within your home. It is not safe for you to leave.
What you should do
Travel to: The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
In the car: If you are travelling, do not enter the area, U-turn to safety.
Slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.
If you stay seek shelter indoors: Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and turn off cooling systems.
Shelter in a room that has a door and or a window to the outside - It is critical to keep an eye on what is happening with the fire.
Impacts in your area: Grassfires can spread quickly and are extremely dangerous.
This messages was issued by Country Fire Authority.
The next update is expected by 18/03/2018 12:10am or as the situation changes.
Health information: If you need medical advice for burns or exposure to smoke, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call 000.
Smoke information: Smoke can affect people's health.
People with heart or lung conditions (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.
People with existing heart or lung conditions (including asthma) should follow the treatment plan advised by the doctor.
Stay informed: Via www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Call the VicEmergency Hotline to talk to someone about this warning on freecall 1800 226 226.
People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech/communication impairment can contact VicEmergency Hotline 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 VicEmergency Hotline. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.
Download the VicEmergency app or follow VicEmergency on Twitter (#vicfires) or Facebook.
UPDATE 10pm: There were at least half a dozen grass fires burning across the south-west last night.
Crews are on the way to a number of reported fire, but firefighters are yet to arrive at some of them.
There are fires near Terang, Naroghid, Cooriemungle, Yangery, Minjah, Gnotuk, Curdies River, Hawkesdale, Penshurst and Simpson.
A CFA media spokesman said there was a watch and act for Terang which was not yet under control.
Six trucks were currently on scene with more on way.
The spokesman said the fire had crossed the highway and firefighters have not been able to stop it
“It is under the influence of that wind,” she said.
EARLIER: About 15 tankers were on their way to Terang to fight a grass fire which is burning towards the substation.
A CFA spokesman said traffic alerts would be issued to drivers as the fire burned along the Princes Highway and had jumped the road..
The fire started about 9pm and there had been lots of lightning in the area, a CFA spokesman said.
A watch and act alert has been issued for the grassfire which is travelling in a south-easterly direction.