AT 8.48pm on Friday night, Emergency Vic announced that The Gurdies bushfire has been downgraded back to a ‘Watch and Act’ for St Helier, The Gurdies and Woodleigh.
But not before the fire threatened houses in the Woodland Close area and farming properties along The Gurdies-St Helier Road including The Gurdies Winery on Jade Road.
Wendy Heaney of The Gurdies Winery said they’d had a huge scare when the wind changed to a gusty south-westerly at 4.55pm on Friday afternoon sending the fire front racing up the hill towards them.
“We lost two sheds on the farm next door but apart from a couple of singed plants and a post, the vines have come through alright.”
The loss of the sheds is a blow however as they house the netting for the vines that will be needed in a couple of weeks’ time.
“The fire trucks were here using our dam, and they did a great job putting out the spot fires. We’ve still got a couple of big trees burning but they’ve told us they think that the worst of it has passed. I hope they're right.”
Mrs Heaney said she had been told that all of the homes in the closely settled Woodland Close area had been saved.
“They said they haven’t lost a house which would be amazing.”
Also at 7.59pm an ‘Advice’ message was issued for Grantville, Jam Jerrup, Lang Lang, Pioneer Bay, The Gurdies.
Speaking on ABC Radio tonight, a spokesman for the state control centre confirmed that the fire had settled down at The Gurdies,
“But we've still got a lot of fire in the landscape out there. It's going to be a tough night for a lot of our firefighters. And you know, we're just asking all of our communities in any of those areas impacted by fires to stay in touch with what's happening around them.”
What’s your advice to people in that area?
“Look that fire is slowing down in terms of its travel, and it's sort of between the Bass Highway and the South Gippsland Highway. So, it's moved into a large area of land there, where, you know, we’re watching it for spotting and activity but it's settled down at the moment, and we'll be working hard on that overnight to try and wrap it up before the sunrise tomorrow morning.
“But there will be fire and smoke and a lot of people moving around in that area tonight so take care.
There had been an announcement that southbound lanes of the Bass Highway had been closed while the fire burnt in that direction, at The Gurdies, but police at Wonthaggi have confirmed that the highway is now closed in both directions (at 9.45pm).
The message is however, if you don’t need to be in that area, stay away.
A Relief Centre has been set up in Wonthaggi at the Wonthaggi Aquatic and Leisure Centre (YMCA), 41 Wentworth Road, Wonthaggi.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has been receiving regular updates about the fire.
“I visited the incident centre this morning and the transaction centre in Grantville, but I’ve stayed out of the way while our emergency services go about it.
“But what I have seen just makes you so proud of their commitment and what they do for us. Unless you get that rare opportunity of seeing them in action it’s really hard to explain how amazing these people are,” said Cr Halstead.
“Just hoping and praying that everyone remains safe.”
Emergency Vic
- There is a bushfire in The Gurdies area that is not yet under control.
- The bushfire has travelled from The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve (NCR) in a northerly and easterly direction towards Gurdies St Helier Road and Stewart Road.
- There is a bushfire at The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve (NCR) that is not yet under control.
- Firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now, but the situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.
- This Watch and Act replaces the Emergency Warning issued at 7.45pm.
- The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.
What you should do:
- A relief centre is open from 7pm, December 20, 2024 at the Wonthaggi Aquatic and Leisure Centre (YMCA), 41 Wentworth Road, Wonthaggi.
- Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
- Enact your fire survival plan.
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes
- If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
- Protect yourself and your family
- Leave if the situation changes or you feel unsafe.
Remember to:
- 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
- Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
- Trees can fall across roads and cause dangerous driving conditions.
This message was issued by Country Fire Authority.
The next update is expected by 21/12/2024 9am 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.
- For 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.
