By Kyra Gillespie
Communities surrounding the Bunyip State Park fire have been issued a ‘Watch and Act’ warning, downgraded from an Emergency Warning as conditions de-escalated overnight.
The fire is now over 12,400 hectares in size, and has impacted on private land in the Maryknoll, Cornucopia, Nar Nar Goon, Tonimbuk, Tynong North, Garfield North and Labertouche communities.
Around 850 personnel and 150 vehicles worked throughout the day and into the night on Sunday, with support by additional resources brought in from across the state, to battle the burgeoning blaze.
Today, Monday 4 March, 20 strike teams and over 600 emergency services personnel are working to combat the fire in challenging conditions.
A mild change in conditions helped soften the severity of the flames overnight, a CFA spokesperson said.
“We had a south-westerly wind change last night as predicted, but fortunately for crews it was not as severe as forecast,” the spokesperson said.
“Early numbers tell us that seven structures were lost in the fire, and we’re expecting that number to rise as we continue to assess the fire-affected areas.
“There are still days of work ahead.”
Spot fires that were threatening to cross the Princes Freeway were quickly contained.
Five Helitak water bombers have been at work supporting the ground crews, dropping water and suppressant to protect assets and to put out spot fires.
Three large aerial tankers have also been releasing flame retardant in key areas to protect assets and communities.
A gusty north-westerly wind is expected to continue over the eastern ranges throughout the day.
The wind is expected to change again later this evening to a south westerly direction, which will push the fire in a north easterly direction.
Community meetings for Monday 4 March are:
– 1pm at Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Boulevard Pakenham.
– 3pm at Kooweerup Bowls Club, Cochrane Park, Rossiter Road, Kooweerup
Three relief centres are currently open 24 hours a day in Cochrane Park Kooweerup, Pakenham Library and Bellbird Indoor Centre, 27- Settlement Road, Drouin.
Akoonah Park (via Gate 7) is open to horses and floats, as well as Lardner Park in Warragul.
The Princes Freeway remains closed in both directions between Nar Nar Goon interchange and the Princes Highway, Drouin.
Coaches are operating from Warragul to Pakenham and then running express to Southern Cross. Due to a CFA exclusion zone, there are no coaches servicing Nar Nar Goon, Tynong, Garfield, Bunyip or Longwarry stations at this time.
A Watch and Act is currently in place for Bunyip, Bunyip North, Cornucopia, Garfield, Garfield North, Gentle Annie, Labertouche, Longwarry, Longwarry North, Maryknoll, Nar Nar Goon, Nar Nar Goon North, Tonimbuk, Tynong and Tynong North.
A Watch and Act remains in place for Wrights Corner in Gembrook.
Locals are urged to keep an eye on VicEmergency for updates and advice.
“Nobody can afford to become complacent, no matter where you are,” Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said.
“If you don’t need to be in the area then well and truly stay away.”
