Updated 3.58pm
‘Take Shelter Now’ - Kerrisdale, Tallarook and Trawool
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
A ‘Take Shelter Now’ warning was issued for Kerrisdale, Tallarook and Trawool at 3.46pm, on February 17.
- There is a bushfire at Goulburn Valley Hwy, Trawool that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire is travelling from Goulburn valley Hwy in a south-westerly direction towards Fairview Rd out to West Falls Rd.
- This fire is threatening homes and lives.
- It is too late to leave the area safely so you must take shelter now.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
What you should do:
Move indoors:
- Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from pure cotton or wool. Wear leather boots.
- Bring your pets inside.
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and turn off cooling systems.
- You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill 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:
- Move away from the rooms that are on fire, closing doors behind you.
- As soon as the bushfire has passed the house, or conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt. Staying inside a burning building will almost certainly end in death.
- It may still be too hot to remain outside, so you will need to seek shelter in another structure or last resort option.
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 inground pool.
- Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
If you are travelling:
- 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 you are caught in fire in your car:
- Park off the road 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 pure woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area:
- Embers are being carried by the wind large distances ahead of the main fire and starting spot fires.
- Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
Watch and Act - Leave Now - Strath Creek, Kerrisdale, Reedy Creek and Tallarook
A watch and act message was for Kerrisdale, Reedy Creek, Strath Creek, Tallarook at 3.58pm on February 17.
- There is a bushfire at Goulburn Valley Hwy, Trawool that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire is travelling from Goulburn Valley HwyTrawool in a south-westerly direction towards Strath Creek.
- This message is for residents along King Parrot Creek Rd and surrounds from Tehans Rd to Strath Creek Rd.
- A wind change is predicted between 6pm and 8pm tonight. This will change the fire to move in a north-easterly direction.
Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
What you should do:
- Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
- Protect yourself and your family.
- If you are away from home, do not return.
If the situation changes or you feel unsafe you should leave:
- Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
- Many people have died trying to leave at the last minute during fires.
- Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area.
Impacts in your area:
- Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
- Bushfires can start spot fires and embers can travel large distances ahead of the main fire.
Stay Informed - Dairy Creek and Homewood
A ‘Stay Informed’ warning was issued for Dairy Creek and Homewood at 3.11pm on February 17.
- The bushfire is travelling from Goulburn Valley Hwy, Willow Track in a south-westerly direction towards Flynns Rd.
- A wind change is predicted between 6pm and 8pm tonight (February 17). This will change the fire to move in a north-easterly direction.
There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and plan for what you will do if the situation changes.
What you should do:
- Monitor weather conditions and warnings.
- Review your fire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.
Impacts in your area:
- The King Parrot Creek Rd is closed from the Goulburn Valley Hwy to the Broadford-Flowerdale Rd.
Stay Informed - Granite, Kerrisdale and Trawool
A ‘Stay Informed’ warning was issued forGranite, Kerrisdale and Trawool at 2.06pm on February 17.
- There is a bushfire at Goulburn Valley Hwy, Trawool that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire is travelling from Goulburn Valley Hwy, Willow Track in a south-westerly direction towards Flynns Rd.
There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and plan for what you will do if the situation changes.
What you should do:
- Monitor weather conditions and warnings.
- Review your fire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.
Impacts in your area:
- Firefighters are responding to this fire.
- Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and roads.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
- 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.
Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
- To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service for assistance and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.