‘Leave now’: Bushfire warning issued for Great Ocean Road
Residents near the famed Great Ocean Road are being told to flee as firefighters battle blazes threatening small communities.
The “leave now” warning was issued on Sunday morning for those in Chapple Vale, Crowes, Gellibrand Lower, Johanna, Johanna Heights, Lavers Hill, Stalker, Wangerrip, Wattle Hill, Yuulong and Wattle Hill to the Great Ocean Walk.
“The bushfire is travelling from Lavers Hill-Cobden Road, Chapple Vale in a southerly to south-westerly direction towards the Great Ocean Road,” Vic Emergency said.
Vic Emergency Ocean Road tweet
“A wind change is expected in the next few hours that may cause the fire to move in an 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.”
Camera IconThe fire at the Otways near Gellibrand in Victoria on Saturday. Nine News Credit: Supplied
“By choosing to stay, you and your family may be at risk of serious injury or death.”
Hikers on the Great Ocean Walk who are west of Cape Otway, have been told to find a place of shelter; such as a large open area like a ploughed paddock or football oval or a large body of water like a dam, lake, river or in-ground pool.
The Great Ocean Road was closed for a time, but has been reopened.
A “stay informed” notice applies for residents north of the Chapple Vale blaze, at Lavers Hill and Yuulong.
There is another out-of-control fire 200kms northwest at Chetwynd near the South Australian border.
That fire was sparked in hot and windy conditions on Saturday, just one of 45 fires across the state at one stage.
The advice for Chetwynd, Connewirricoo and Kadnook residents is unchanged from late Saturday; it is not safe to return. That fire engulfed a blue gum plantation and crossed the Glenelg River.
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