Source: VIC Emergency

Watch and Act - Bushfire - Not Safe to Return

Issued Today at 2:46 PM.

This Watch and Act message is being issued for Amphitheatre, Bayindeen, Ben Nevis, Chute, Elmhurst, Eversley, Glenlogie, Glenpatrick, Mount Cole, Mount Lonarch, Raglan.

It is Not Safe to Return to the Warning area.

The bushfire at Bayindeen-Rocky Road that is not yet under control and is still active in this area.
The Bayindeen-Rocky Road fire started last Thursday and has grown to the size 20,000 hectares.
Weather conditions are favourable for firefighting efforts and burning out activities will occur in the next 24 hours.
This work is required ahead of Wednesday's predicted extreme fire danger rating.
Community may notice an increase in smoke in the area while the burning out activities are undertaken.
It is Not Safe to Return.

If you have not left, leaving now is your best option.
What you should do:
If you have not already left:
Stay where you are and avoid dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.
Check you have enough food, drinking water and medications - if you do not, phone Triple Zero (000) for assistance.

If you have already left:

Do not return to your home until a Safe to Return notification is issued.

Relief centres are open at:
Alexandra Oval, Waratah Avenue, Ararat.
Princes Park Reserve, 40 Park Road, Maryborough.
Register at a relief centre so that your friends, family and authorities can be informed that you are safe.

For medical emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
Stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings.
Impacts in your area:

The following roads are closed:
Pyrenees Highway from Ararat to Amphitheatre
Beaufort-Lexton Road Lexton
Ararat Road Main Lead Road at Jackson Street
Beaufort to Raglan Eurambeen-Raglan Road,
Eurambeen from Western Highway to Raglan
Raglan-Elmhurst Road from Raglan to Elmhurst
Amphitheatre Road from Amphitheatre to Chute
Mount Cole Road from Warrak to Mt Cole
Buangor-Ben Nevis Road from Warrak to Western Highway
Ferntree Gully Road from Western Highway to Mt Buangor
Jones Road, from Black Bottom Road to Waterloo,
Trawalla Waterloo Road, between Beaufort-Lexton Road to Racecourse Road.

Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.

Beaufort Urgent Care Centre
The Beaufort Urgent Care Centre at 28 Havelock Street Beaufort has re-opened with reduced hours of operations between 0700 AM and 1000 PM. Outside these hours, community members should contact Triple Zero (000) for emergency medical care or call nurse on call 1300 60 60 24 for minor health concerns.
The Beaufort nursing home remains closed, and residents remain relocated at Grampians Health Ballarat until further notice.
Bushfires and power outages can affect the water supply and pressure. Residents should not rely on town water as part of their fire plans.

The following public land areas have been affected by the Bayindeen- Rocky Road Fire.

State Forest Closures
Mount Cole State Forest
Ben Major State Forest
Mt Lonarch State Forest
Fortes Bush State Forest
Musical Gully State Forest
Camphill State Forest

Parks Victoria closures:
Mount Buangor State Park (those whom have booked for campsites have been notified by Parks Victoria)-
Ben Major Nature Conservation Reserve (NCR)

Community Meeting
Community meetings are planned for Tuesday 27 February in Avoca Shire Hall at 10am and Beaufort Shire Hall at 2.00pm

Read our newsletter for more community information.

Also, a community meeting was held at the Beaufort Reserve on Sunday 25 February, 2024. This meeting was livestreamed and can be viewed on the Pyrenees Shire Council Facebook page or the Pyrenees Shire Council have included some community information at https://www.pyrenees.vic.gov.au/fireupdate A recording of the Meeting is available at https://fb.watch/qqs68
This message was issued by Forest Fire Management Victoria.
The next update is expected by 26/02/2024 09:50 pm or as the situation changes.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
www.emergency.vic.gov.au
VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
VicEmergency app
Facebook or Twitter (#VicFires)
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 on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.

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