UPDATE Saturday 1pm: ‘Watch & Act’ still in place for The Gurdies

A Watch and Act message is still in place for St Helier and The Gurdies according to the latest message issued by Emergency Vic at 12:23pm on Saturday, December 12.

And speaking on ABC Radio, Luke Hegarty at the State Control Centre said that while progress was being made on the fire, “we’re not out of the woods yet”.

ABC presenter: For people that do use the Vic Emergency app or website, you can go to your filter settings on the app, and you can see the impact area of where the bushfire has burnt through, and I must say, this one is quite an intricate drawing that the guys have drawn up for this one, for where this fire has burnt. It seems like pretty complex or difficult terrain, but it seems like, at the moment, that the ‘Watch and Act’ staying in place for now, as we've seen. Is there any update on what's been happening down at The Gurdies?

LUKE HEGARTY: “Yeah, again, this is where it's a really difficult fire fight down there. We are expecting to make good progress on that fire today, but as you said, it's burned into a number of pockets, and there's a lot of fingers of fire that have spread, particularly with the southerly winds. It's right on the coast, so it gets those variable winds, and sometimes down on the coast, those winds can be a little bit stronger.

“So, we haven't really been able to get crews in close to that fire. So, that's why you sort of see these interesting areas of burnt area on the on the website. So, that's still Watch and Act. It's for St Helier and the Gurdies. Again, just be aware that whilst we've been able to slow the spread of the fire, and we've got extra resources there today, it's important that people are conscious that we're not out of the woods on that fire either.

“So, if you're in that warning area, please continue to monitor conditions and be ready to act if the situation changes throughout the afternoon.”

ABC presenter: And that relief centre is open at the Wonthaggi aquatic and leisure centre at 41 Wentworth Road in Wonthaggi. As best as we understand it, though the Bass Highway remains open so people heading down to the Island can still travel down that way.

LUKE HEGARTY: “Yeah, so I think that’s an opportunity to say, just be aware that, yes yesterday, we did have to close it at one point, and there were some diversions in place. We would really encourage people if they are planning to travel, just be aware before they start their travels, just to check with the Vic emergency App or website and check in with any traffic changes. As well, be prepared that if you are traveling that there may be, at short notice, diversions in place, then you might need to allow a bit of extra time.”

ABC presenter: You can also check the Vic traffic website out there for any of that road closure information as you do travel around the state, for your holidays and no doubt, people are taking the opportunity with many people heading out for their end of year break.”

Fire details

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.

Further resources have been deployed to the fire, including heavy plant machinery which is engaged in hazard tree removal and construction of containment lines.

Aircraft also being used to extinguish fire in private property to the north of Helier Road.

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 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.