Source: VIC Emergency

Watch and Act - Bushfire - Not Safe to Return

Issued Today at 11:38 AM.

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

The bushfire at Bayindeen-Rocky Road is not yet under control and is still active in this area.
It is Not Safe to Return to the Warning area
Today, Tuesday 27 February, firefighters are taking advantage of the cooler weather to create and strengthen control lines around the fire.
The community will see increased smoke in the area of the fire. Flames may also be visible.
Aircraft, heavy machinery, and aircraft will be working in the area.
Dangerous fire conditions are predicted for tomorrow Wednesday 28 February.

View a map of the Potential impact area of locations that could be impacted by fire, spot fires and ember attack on Wednesday.
It is Not Safe to Return.

Anyone still in these areas should leave tonight (Tuesday 27 February) or early tomorrow morning (Wednesday 28 February).

Go to the homes of family or friends outside the warning areas.

What you should do:
If you have not already left:
Leave tonight (Tuesday 27 February) or early tomorrow morning (Wednesday 28 February).
Do not wait until the bushfire spreads closer before moving to a safer location.
The fire could grow significantly and may become uncontrollable.
If you do not leave today, you may become isolated and your route to safer locations may be blocked.
Road closures may occur, including roads that have been recently been reopened.
Do not rely on firefighting crews to protect you and your property.
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.
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 King 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.

Community Meeting
A community meeting is planned for today, Tuesday 27 February in Beaufort Shire Hall at 2.00 pm

Read the Tuesday, 27 February newsletter for more community information.

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 who have booked for campsites have been notified by Parks Victoria)-
Ben Major Nature Conservation Reserve (NCR)
This message was issued by Forest Fire Management Victoria.
The next update is expected by 28/02/2024 12:40 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.

CFA Current Bushfires