Fire + the hot weather have begun in Vic :(

[Bird]

Dont play hero if your in the area, get the fork out quick. and with the weekend weather that GU Rich has posted about.... it wont be good.

Firefighters are battling an out-of-control fast-moving grass fire in the Daylesford area that is feared could reach houses later this afternoon.

The CFA has issued an emergency warning to people in Blampied, south-west of Daylesford, and
surrounding areas to follow their bushfire survival plan as the fire reaches Wombat State Forest.

Firefighters fear the blaze could reach houses in up to six towns that surround the forest.

Residents have been sent text messages and warning signals are being broadcast on the radio to alert communities to the danger.

The fire, now occupying 60-hectares, is creating spot-fires approximately up to 1.5 kilometres ahead of the fire front.

A CFA spokeswoman earlier said there had been direct ember attacks in Telegraph, Suckling and Hurns roads, as the fire front rapidly approached the forest.

Three helicopters will be used to battle the blaze after firefighters requested aerial support.

An emergency warning applies to residents as far south as Mollongghip and as far east as Musk Vale, just south of Daylesford.

The fire is also expected to affect Mount Prospect, Sailors Falls, Eganstown and Sailors Hill.

Meanwhile, aerial firefighters are on standby in the state's south-west ahead of an increased fire risk this weekend.

The weather bureau has predicted high-than-normal temperatures and northerly winds across the state for tomorrow and Sunday.

CFA state duty officer Craig Brownlie said all Victorians should be ready for above-average temperatures and high winds, especially those in the south of the state.

"The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast temperatures in the mid to high 30s for most of the state which creates a significant risk," he said in a statement. 

"High winds tomorrow morning will also further increase the risk, particularly in the south-west of the state where we have aircraft and resources ready to be deployed."

The statement said fire chiefs from across the state would meet at the State Command Centre later today to finalise tomorrow's fire danger ratings and whether total fire bans would be declared.

"There is the possibility of a TFB [total fire ban] being declared for some areas tomorrow and people need to be aware of how this affects them," Mr Brownlie said.

"People travelling around the state, camping and enjoying the summer weather need to take extra care. People need to have a plan about what to do if a fire breaks out and need to be aware of the local conditions."

A spokesman for the Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures would climb 10 to 12 degrees above the monthly average throughout the state tomorrow, the highest expected in Horsham, where a top of 39 is expected.

He said the north of the state would reach the high 30s today and again on Saturday and Sunday, with southern areas reaching mid 30s.

Fresher northerly winds posed an increased risk of fire for these areas.

"Today winds are fairly light, but over the next two days the northerly will be fresher, which increases fire danger," he said.

The heat spell is expected to end on Monday, with the built-up humidity bringing rain and thunderstorms.


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/weather/fears-for-homes-as-grass-fire-rages-near-daylesford-20120224-1trxz.html#ixzz1nH2kixOe

[Black Diamond]

Everything is starting to dry up again hopefully we get a bit of rain next week.

[Brett B]

thanks for the heads up guys

[cdustbehindme]

https://fireweb.dse.vic.gov.au/default.asp

this web site is the easiest way to keep an eye on things.......

Best way: Have a look and smell the air (no rubbernecking though)

cheers

[cdustbehindme]

ang guys whilst im on my soapbox... Have a fire plan, it doesnt take long to work out and theres plenty of resources around to help

[dazzler]

ang guys whilst im on my soapbox... Have a fire plan, it doesnt take long to work out and theres plenty of resources around to help

Really good advice....and stick to it.

Ours is simple.  We get in the car and go into town (we live rural not far from Snug Tiers where the 67 fires came through).

Pick up the insurance cheque later.   

[D4D]

Test you fire plan too, can you get your cars out of the garage with no power?

[GGV8Cruza]

Test you fire plan too, can you get your cars out of the garage with no power?

Thats what the bull bar is for

On a serious note get out early

GG

[gronk]

You mexicans have gotta be joking......in NSW, its only just stopped raining 2 days ago.......went for a swim in the pool for the 1 st time in a month today.....


But....be safe.....property is worth a lot less than life ....!!!!!!!

[Bird]

Threat to Ararat eases as firefighters contain blaze
HUNDREDS of firefighters have contained the western flank of a fire in the state's south-west.

The fire was burning near Ararat and at one point had threatened up to six properties in the area.

But this afternoon the Country Fire Authority said the blaze had been controlled.

A state control centre spokeswoman earlier said police had visited nearby property owners to warn them of the impending danger.

She said the fire had slowed considerably since early this morning. Firefighters had been back burning along the fire's eastern edge.

Emergency services briefed residents at Ararat's town hall this morning.

"The fire is not expected to jump control lines," the spokeswoman said.

More than 250 firefighters had been battling to control the fire.

Four water bombing aircraft joined the effort this morning after the blaze had already burned 800 hectares of land.

Earlier today the Country Fire Authority said about six properties had been under immediate threat as police began door-knocking homes.

CFA incident controller John Athorn says fire crews had made good progress overnight but the wind picked up this morning.

Mr Athorn said crews were working along the western flank of the fire, to stop it spreading to nearby state forest, and also at the head of the fire, to hold it north of the Pyrenees Highway.

The Pyrenees Highway was closed and residents were warned to activate their bushfire survival plans.

In other news, a man has died in a house fire in western Victoria.

Firefighters were called to the house in Gould Street, Warracknabeal, about 5am today.

The body of a man was later discovered inside the weatherboard property, which was fully engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived.

It is believed the fire started at the back of the house, possibly in the kitchen, the Country Fire Authority said.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

With AAP


Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/threat-to-ararat-eases-as-firefighters-contain-blaze-20120226-1tw1y.html#ixzz1nSd10lYG

[Bird]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/homes-at-risk-from-out-of-control-bushfire-at-ararat/story-fn7x8me2-1226281689801

[dazzler]

We kicked ours off today with a big fire about 30k away and a small one south near Nicols Rivulet.  The big one had 22 appliances and two choppers up.  Wind dropped down this arvo so the threat had passed, at least for us.

Discovered some 'issues' that we needed to sort so was worth the effort.