THE BUSHFIRE which saw Watch and Act warnings for Westbury, Trafalgar, Trafalgar East and area earlier this week has been brought under control.
A statement from the CFA said fire fighters have stopped the spread of the Westbury fire, which reached around 150 hectares in size.
The CFA has advised residents of Tanjil South, Trafalgar East, Moe and Westbury some roads remain closed and smoke will continue to be visible from nearby towns.
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Westbury was issued a Watch and Act warning twice since the fire was started by lightning on Wednesday night.
Up to date fire information can be found on the CFA website.
Previous coverage (17 Jan 2014, 1448): Westbury fire warning upgraded to Watch and Act again
THE CFA has upgraded its bushfire advice for Westbury, north east of Trafalgar, to Watch and Act and warned of the potential for increased fire activity with a wind change this evening.
UPDATE 2349: the fire remains uncontrolled but containment lines at Westbury remain intact. The CFA and state government have congratulated fire fighting crews and aircraft for preventing the fire spreading further today. There was one spot fire 1km south east of the main fire. The fire is presently 146ha. The emergency relief centre in Warragul has been closed with council staff on standby in case it needs reopening.
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The roughly 150 hectare fire is now travelling easterly from O’Briens Rd towards the junction of Old Sale Rd and Elizabeth Crt, Westbury.
Spotting has been occurring ahead of the main fire towards the Old Sale Rd and Elizabeth Crt junction, Westbury.
The CFA has said the fire is expected to impact Westbury any time between now and 4.30 PM UPDATE 1814: The fire is now expected to impact Westbury any time between now and 9.00 PM.
A blustery south west wind change is expected later this evening which may result in increased fire activity.
The fire has remained out of control since it was lit by lightning on Wednesday night.
The CFA has advised residents to not wait and leave now in its warning statement.
“Leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency Services may not be able to help you.”
O’Brien’s Road remains closed.
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Update (1510): Embletons Road has also been closed.
The towns of Tanjil South, Trafalgar East and Moe are advised there is a bushfire is in the area but at time of writing have no warnings.
The following advice and safety information has been issued:
Travel to:
- The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
UPDATE (1500): Baw Baw Shire advice on the Emergency Relief Centre:
Safety information:
- Remember to take your prescriptions and medication, photo ID, bottles of water, your mobile phone and charger and consider what you will do with your pets.
- When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
- If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
- Contact a family member or friend to tell them what you plan to do now.
Stay Informed:
- Via www.cfa.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.
- Download the FireReady App and follow CFA on Twitter or Facebook.
- Road Closures: check VicRoads website.
Up to date fire information can be found on the CFA website.
Previous coverage (16 Jan 2014, 2235): Emergency bushfire warnings for Trafalgar area downgraded
THE EMERGENCY bushfirefire warnings for Trafalgar, Trafalgar East, Westbury and surrounding areas have been downgraded but the fire could still impact some properties.
Update (17 Jan 2014, 0405): Westbury has been downgraded again. It is now covered by the same advice message as other towns in the region. The CFA says the fire remains uncontrolled and spans 150 hectares.
Westbury residents are still under a Watch and Act warning from the CFA (Downgraded further – see update above) with the presently uncontrolled bushfire travelling south westerly from O’Briens Road, Westbury toward Embletons Road and Willow Grove Road north of the main transmission lines.
The CFA said the fire could impact properties in that area any time between 8.30PM and 12AM and O’Briens road remains closed.
You can read the full Watch and Act statement here.
Shady Creek, Tanjil South, Trafalgar, Trafalgar East, Willow Grove and Yalungah are no longer covered by a warning, but the CFA still has fire advice for those living in that area.
“Firefighters are still trying to control a large bushfire in the O’Briens Road, Westbury area,” a CFA advice message said.
“Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads.”
You can read the advice message in full here.
The Westbury fire was one of 10 started by lightning last night.
Up to date fire information can be found on the CFA website.
Previous coverage (16 Jan 2014, 1640):
Emergency bushfire warning for Trafalgar, Trafalgar East and Westbury
AN EMERGENCY warning has been issued for Trafalgar, Trafalgar East and Westbury for a fast moving out of control bushfire.A CFA alert warned the fire is travelling in a south westerly direction from O’Briens Road towards Embletons Road, Westbury and Embletons Road, Trafalgar.
Spotfires and Ember Attacks have been reported in the O’Briens Road and Embletons Road area north of the main transmission lines.
Locals have been warned some roads may be closed in the affected areas and those in danger are being encouraged to act immediately.
Update 1939: a Watch and Act alert also applies to Shady Creek, Trafalgar, Trafalgar East, Willow Grove, Yalungah and Westbury. Fire could impact between 7 and 9 tonight. Visitors and campers at Blue Rock Lake are advised to consider if they need to remain in the area. If you decided to leave Blue Rock Lake do not do travel via Old Sale Road. Baw Baw shire says – Bushfire Traffic Management Points for the fire at Westbury are; 1. Gibson & Embletons Roads, 2. O’Brien’s & Old Sale Road (East), 3. O’Brien’s & Old Sale Roads (West). No traffic other than emergency vehicles will be allowed through, please restrict any non-essential traffic movements near the area.
The next update is expected at 1815 or sooner if the situation changes.
Up to date fire information can be found on the CFA website.
The CFA has issued the following safety information:
When 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.
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.
In the car:
- Park behind a solid structure to block the fire’s heat or pull over to a cleared area.
- Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
- Put on your hazard lights and headlights.
- Turn the engine off, close all windows and ensure that car air vents are closed.
- Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a woolen blanket.
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
Stay Informed:
- Via www.cfa.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.
- Download the FireReady App and follow CFA on Twitter or Facebook
- Road Closures: check VicRoads Website.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 16 Jan 2014, 1354
FIRE authorities have issued advice for a slow moving grass fire in the Westbury and Trafalgar East area.
UPDATE 1504: the advice message now applies to Shady Creek, Tanjil South, Trafalgar, Trafalgar East, Willow Grove, Yalungah, Yarragon and Westbury. Nineteen fire fighting units are presently involved in combating the fire.
The CFA reports the fire is uncontrolled and moving north towards O’Briens Road and Old Sale Road.
The fire presents no threat to people at present.
The fire was one of a number sparked by lightning strikes.
Up to date fire information can be found on the CFA website.
