UPDATED 7.52AM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
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The grass fire burning near Goomalibee is still not under control, but it is being described as contained.
There are still 17 emergency services vehicles in the area and a mobile command post has been set up in Goomalibee.
Quite a few local roads, including Tarnook Rd have been closed. Non-residents are being asked to stay away from the area.
Several sheds and one CFA truck have been damaged.
There are now three warning zones around the fire.
There is a Watch and Act - Stay Near Shelter warning for Broken Creek, Goomalibee and Goorambat.
- There is a grassfire at Goomalibee that is not yet under control.
- This grassfire has travelled in a easterly direction towards the Midland Highway
- Monitor the conditions and be ready to act.
Staying close to a building where you can shelter is the safest option, as conditions can change suddenly.
Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
What you should do:
- Monitor changes, including increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility that indicates the situation is changing.
- If you are away from home, do not return.
If the situation changes you will need to leave quickly. Plan to:
- Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
- Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area.
- A relief centre is open at Benalla Town Hall 82-86 Nunn Street, Benalla. Small animals are welcome here, Large animals may be taken to the Saleyards.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
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There is a Stay Informed warning for Goorambat, between Quinn Rd and Benalla-Yarrawonga Rd.
There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and monitor conditions.
What you should do:
- Keep the roads clear so emergency services can travel in the area.
- Review your fire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Find information on protecting yourself and your family: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/am-i-at-risk/grassfires-rural.
Impacts in your area:
- Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and roads.
- Emergency services continue to work on containing the fire, including aircraft and heavy equipment.
- Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
There is a Stay Informed warning for Goomalibee, Broken Creek and Tarnook.
There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and monitor conditions. High fire danger rating is forecast for Friday 18 December.
It is important to remain aware of updated information and warnings throughout the day.
What you should do:
- Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond.
Impacts in your area:
- Firefighters, aircraft and machinery will remain onsite to continue work to suppress the fire.
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UPDATED 9.48PM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
This Advice Stay Informed message is being issued for Goorambat, between Quinn Rd to Benalla-Yarrawonga Rd.
- There is a grassfire currently not under control in Goomalibee. The fire has travelled in an easterly direction towards the Midland Highway.
There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and monitor conditions.
What you should do:
- Keep the roads clear so emergency services can travel in the area.
- Review your fire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Find information on protecting yourself and your family: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/am-i-at-risk/grassfires-rural.
Impacts in your area:
- Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and roads.
- Emergency services continue to work on containing the fire, including aircraft and heavy equipment.
- Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATED 6.49PM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18:
This Watch and Act message is being issued for Broken Creek, Goomalibee, Goorambat.
- There is a grass fire at Goomalibee that is not yet under control.
- This grass fire is currently travelling in a easterly direction towards the Midland Highway
- A wind change is expected around 9pm, which may cause the fire to move in a Northerly direction. Conditions can become dangerous and unpredictable.
Staying close to a building where you can shelter is the safest option, as conditions can change suddenly.
Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
What you should do:
- Monitor changes, including increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility that indicates the situation is changing.
- If you are away from home, do not return.
If the situation changes you will need to leave quickly.
Plan to:
- Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
- Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area.
- A relief centre is open at Benalla Town Hall 82-86 Nunn Street, Benalla. Small animals are welcome here, large animals may be taken to the Saleyards.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
Impacts in your area:
- Grassfires can spread quickly, and can be dangerous.
- Be aware of any road closures in place if you are travelling. Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70
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UPDATED 6.19PM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18:
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Broken Creek, Goomalibee, Goorambat
- There is a grassfire travelling from Tarnook Rd in a easterly direction towards the Midland Hwy that is out of control.
- People in the warning area should leave immediately in a southerly direction towards Benalla.
- Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire.
Those in the warning area could be impacted at anytime. Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
What you should do:
- When you leave take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Travel to:
- Go to Benalla.
- A relief centre is open at Benalla Town Hall, 82-86 Nunn St Benalla. Small animals can attend Relief Centre. Large animals can be taken to the Benalla Sale yards.
- The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
- A Neighbourhood Safer Place, also known as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort, is for when all other bushfire plans have failed and only if it is nearby. They do not guarantee safety but may offer some protection from flame and heat. Travelling to a Neighbourhood Safer Place can be dangerous.
In the car:
- If you are travelling, do not enter the area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety.
- Slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
If you are unable to leave, seek shelter indoors:
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents.
- Turn off cooling systems.
- You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to harm you well before the flames reach you.
- Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window, including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
- If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
Impacts in your area:
- Be aware of any road closures when you leave.
- Grassfires can start and spread quickly, and are extremely dangerous.
- Spot fires and ember attacks are starting ahead of the main fire.
- Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE, 5.46PM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18:
Emergency Stay Informed Warning for Goomalibee, between Frazers Rd and Tarnook Rd
This Advice message is being issued for Goomalibee.
- There is a grassfire at Goomalibee, between Frazers Rd and Tarnook Rd that is not yet under control.
- The grassfire that started at Tarnook Rd is currently continuing to travel in a easterly direction.
- A southerly wind change is expected around 9:00pm, which may cause the fire to change direction towards the Midland Highway. Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable.
There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and monitor conditions.
Please note, this warning is for the area the fire started to the West of the current Shelter Indoors, and Leave Immediately warnings. Those warnings are still in place.
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UPDATE, 5.09PM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18:
Emergency warning for Goomalibee, Tarnook Rd to Carroll Rd
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire.
The fire has crossed Carroll Rd and continues to travel in a predominantly easterly direction towards the Midland Hwy.
A southerly wind change is expected around 9pm, which may cause the fire to change direction towards the Midland Hwy. Conditions can become very dangerous and unpredictable.
This grassfire could impact any time.
This emergency warning replaces the emergency warning issued at 2:50pm.
People in this area are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
What you should do:
Quickly move indoors:
- Bring your pets indoors.
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents.
- Turn off cooling systems.
- You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to harm you well before the flames reach you.
- Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window, including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
- If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
If you cannot get indoors, last resort options include:
- Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
- Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or in-ground pool.
- Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
In the car:
- If you are travelling, do not enter the warning area. Make a U-turn and travel to safety.
- If you are currently driving, slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
If caught in fire:
- Park behind a solid structure to block the fire’s heat or pull over to cleared area.
- Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
- Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
- Close all windows.
- Turn off the air-conditioning and shut all the air vents.
- Turn your car engine off.
- Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area:
- There are road closures in your area. If caught on the roads follow advice of emergency services.
- Grassfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the flames reach you.
- You may be able to use a mobile phone to call 000 and to access information on the internet. You can listen to warning information on a battery-operated radio.
UPDATE 5PM:
CFA responded to a fire in Goomalibee at around 11.29am.
Crews discovered a large grass fire burning in a south easterly direction in stubble and wheat crop.
By 5pm, the fire has burned about 1464 hectares.
There are more than 30 CFA firefighting vehicles on scene, and nine aircraft are attending to support.
The following emergency warnings have been issued:
- Emergency warning – Leave Immediately for Goomalibee, between Carroll Rd and the Midland Hwy.
- Emergency Warning – Shelter Indoors Now in place for Broken Creek, Goomalibee and Tarnook.
- Watch and Act - Stay Near Shelter now in place for Benalla and Goomalibee.
Warning for Goorambat, between Quinn Rd to Benalla-Yarrawonga Rd
The latest warning was the advice message to stay informed notice for Goorambat, between Quinn Rd to Benalla-Yarrawonga Rd.
There is a southerly wind change expected to start impacting the fireground from 9pm onwards this evening.
There is currently no threat to people in this zone, but you should stay informed and monitor conditions.
People in this area should:
- Review your fire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do it the situation changes.
Warning for Broken Creek, Goomalibee and Goorambat
An emergency warning has also been issued for Broken Creek, Goomalibee and Goorambat for a fire in the area.
There is a grassfire travelling from Tarnook Rd in a easterly direction towards the Midland Hwy that is out of control.
People in the warning area should leave immediately in a southerly direction towards Benalla.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has crossed Carroll Rd and heading to Burston Rd.
Those in the warning area could be impacted at any time.
Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
For those in the Broken Creek, Goomalibee and Tarnook areas, the shelter indoors now warning remains current. You are in danger, and people need to act now to protect themselves. See the instructions of what to do under the ‘Earlier 2.40pm’ headline.
For those in the Broken Creek, Goomalibee and Goorambat warning area, follow these instructions:
What you should do
- When you leave, take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Travel to:
- Go to Benalla.
- A relief centre is open at Benalla Town Hall, 82-86 Nunn St Benalla.
- The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
- A Neighbourhood Safer Place, also known as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort, is for when all other bushfire plans have failed and only if it is nearby. They do not guarantee safety but may offer some protection from flame and heat. Travelling to a Neighbourhood Safer Place can be dangerous.
In the car:
- If you are travelling, do not enter the area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety.
- Slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
If you are unable to leave, seek shelter indoors:
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents.
- Turn off cooling systems.
- You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to harm you well before the flames reach you.
- Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window, including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
- If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
Impacts in your area:
- Be aware of any road closures when you leave.
- Grassfires can start and spread quickly, and are extremely dangerous.
- Spot fires and ember attacks are starting ahead of the main fire.
- Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 131 170 for road closures.
UPDATE 4PM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18: An emergency warning has also been issued for Benalla, Broken Creek, Goomalibee and Goorambat for a fire in the area.
There is a grassfire travelling from Tarnook Rd in a easterly direction towards the Midland Hwy that is out of control.
People in the warning area should leave immediately in a southerly direction towards Benalla.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has crossed Carroll Rd.
Those in the warning area could be impacted at any time.
Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
For those in the Goomalibee, Broken Creek, Tarnook areas, the fire from Tarnook Rd has now crossed Carroll Rd and still remains out of control.
It is too late to leave for people in this area. Follow the instructions under the ‘Earlier, 2.50pm’ header on this page.
For those in the Benalla, Broken Creek, Goomalibee and Goorambat warning area, follow these instructions:
What you should do
- When you leave, take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Travel to:
- Go to Benalla.
- A relief centre is open at Benalla Town Hall, 82-86 Nunn St Benalla.
- The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
- A Neighbourhood Safer Place, also known as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort, is for when all other bushfire plans have failed and only if it is nearby. They do not guarantee safety but may offer some protection from flame and heat. Travelling to a Neighbourhood Safer Place can be dangerous.
In the car:
- If you are travelling, do not enter the area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety.
- Slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
If you are unable to leave, seek shelter indoors:
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents.
- Turn off cooling systems.
- You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to harm you well before the flames reach you.
- Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window, including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
- If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
Impacts in your area:
- Be aware of any road closures when you leave.
- Grassfires can start and spread quickly, and are extremely dangerous.
- Spot fires and ember attacks are starting ahead of the main fire.
- Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 131 170 for road closures.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
- www.emergency.vic.gov.au
- VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
- VicEmergency app
- Facebook or Twitter (#vicfires)
- Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.