MONDAY, 1pm:
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Emergency bushfire alert issued for Goongerah
An Emergency Warning is being issued for Goongerah, Martins Creek, Nurran, Sardine Creek and Errinundra, replacing the watch and act issued at 9am.
The bushfire west of Goongerah and south west of Bonang remains out of control.
Fire activity is increasing and there are two significant columns building in the south eastern corner of the fire, heading toward Goongerah and Martins Creek.
This fire is threatening homes and lives.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.
The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
What you should do:
You should move indoors:
Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from pure cotton or wool. Wear leather boots.
Bring your pets inside.
Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and turn off cooling systems.
You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you.
Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt. It may still be too hot to remain outside, so you'll need to seek shelter in another structure or last resort option.
If you cannot get indoors, last resort options include:
Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
If you are travelling:
If you are travelling, do not enter the warning area. U-turn to safety.
If you are currently driving slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
If you are caught in fire in your car:
Park behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to cleared area.
Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
Close all windows.
Turn off the air-conditioning and shut all the air vents.
Turn your car engine off.
Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a pure woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area:
The Bonang Highway is closed.
A severe thunder storm warning has been issued for East Gippsland for damaging and locally destructive winds.
Fire-initiated thunderstorms over Gippsland driving erratic gusty conditions.
Further info: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/
- Scroll down for additional health and safety advice and contacts
The communities of Bendoc, Bonang, Cabanandra, Deddick Valley, Delegate River, Dellicknora, Roaring Camp, Tubbut, Wulgulmerang, Wulgulmerang East remain at Watch and Act level.
You still have time to leave, heading north on Bonang Rd towards Delegate.
Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
What you should do:
Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
If you are away from home, do not return.
As of 10am Monday, the following relief centres are open:
Bairnsdale - Football Pavilion 40 Macarthur Street, Bairnsdale
Lakes Entrance - Mechanics Hall - Community Church, 125 Palmers Road lakes Entrance
Omeo - Recreation Reserve Pavilion, Park Street Omeo
Delegate (NSW) - Delegate Golf Club 3074 Delegate Road, Delegate NSW
Sunday, 2pm:
The alert level for East Gippsland communities of Bonang, Cabanandra, Deddick Valley, Dellicknora, Tubbut and Amboyne has been downgraded to Watch and Act.
However, the bushfire is now 6km south of Bonang and not yet under control.
This is an updated Watch and Act that replaces the alert issued at 10am this morning.
The bushfire is currently south of Mount Bowen.
Firefighting vehicles are responding and will be visible in the area. Aircraft are operating in the area to monitor fire spread.
A Watch and Act alert is also current for Goongerah, Martins Creek, Nurran, Sardine Creek and Errinundra.
The bushfire is travelling towards Goongerah and Martins Creek communities.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has now crossed the Yalmy Road.
The fire has started spot fires ahead of the main front.
Don't wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
What you should do:
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 are away from home, do not return.
If you have time check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
If the situation changes or you feel unsafe you should leave:
Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area or go to Orbost Community Sports Complex, 40 Arnold Street, Orbost or the Delegate Golf Club, 3074 Delegate Road, Delegate.
Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
Impacts in your area:
Smoke will be visible form nearby communities and roads.
Emergency services are responding.
The following road is closed: Bonang Hwy.
Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
The next update is expected by 6.30 pm or as the situation changes.
Scroll down for health and safety advice and contacts
Earlier...
Sunday, 9am:
An Emergency Warning is still current for Bonang, Cabanandra, Deddick Valley, Dellicknora, Tubbut and Amboyne.
The bushfire south west of Bonang is out of control and travelling in a north-easterly direction towards these communities.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire.
Spot fires have started ahead of the main fire front around Waterhole Gully Road in Cabanandra.
Deddick, Amboyne, Tubbut, Cabanandra, Dellicknora and Bonang could be impacted anytime within the next four hours. Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
Scroll down for emergency advice and contacts.
Saturday, 8pm:
Emergency Warning
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Bonang, Cabanandra, Deddick Valley, Dellicknora, Tubbut and Amboyne.
The bushfire south west of Bonang is out of control.
The bushfire is travelling in a north-easterly direction towards, Amboyne, Deddick Valley, Tubbut, Dellicknora,Bonang and Cabanandra.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it is moving towards these communities.
Deddick, Amboyne, Tubbut, Cabanandra, Dellicknora and Bonang could be impacted anytime within the next hour. Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
What you should do:
You should leave heading north to Delegate along the Bonang Road.
Travel to the home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.
Be aware of any road closures when you leave.
The Bonang Road south to Orbost is closed.
In the car:
If you are travelling, do not enter the area. U-turn to safety.
Slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
If you are unable to leave you should shelter indoors:
Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. Turn off cooling systems.
You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you.
Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.
If you cannot get indoors, other last resort options include:
Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
If you are caught in fire in your car:
Park behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to cleared area.
Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
Close all windows.
Turn off the air-conditioning and shut all the air vents.
Turn your car engine off.
Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a pure woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area:
Spot fires and embers are starting fires up to 1 km ahead of the main fire.
Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you.
Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads.
Falling leaves and debris will be present.
The following road is closed: Bonang Hwy.
Saturday, 3.15pm:
It is strongly recommended that you Evacuate Now if you are located in Goongerah and Martins Creek.
The bushfire to the west of Goongerah is not yet under control.
This fire is travelling in an easterly direction towards Goongerah and Martins Creek
Victoria Police have conducted doorknocks over the past two days, asking residents to evacuate.
You are advised that you need to leave now. This may be your last opportunity to do so before fire activity increases.
The fire may impact the Goongerah and Martins Creek areas anytime over the next 48 hours.
If you are located in Goongerah and Martins Creek it is strongly recommended that you evacuate now and move to a safer location away from the fire.
This warning is current to 7pm Saturday, December 28. Evacuation after this time is considered life threatening. After 7pm it may be too late to leave. Shelter indoors when the fire arrives - protect yourself from the radiant heat.
Evacuate now:
When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and charger.
If you are away from home; do not return.
If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you.
Travel to a safer location. Options include:
A relief centre is open at Orbost Community Sports Centre, 40 Arnold Street.
The home of family or friends away from the warning and fire areas.
If you evacuate to a family or friend's house you should register with the Red Cross Register. Find. Reunite service to help others find you.
Residents in Goongerah and Martins Creek should leave via Bonang Road.
In the car:
If you are travelling, do not enter the area. U-turn to safety.
Slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
Drive with caution and to the road conditions. Turn on your headlights.
If you are unable to leave and the fire is approaching you should seek shelter inside:
Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. Turn off cooling systems.
Shelter in a room that has a door and or a window to the outside. It is critical to keep an eye on what is happening with the fire.
Impacts in your area:
The Bonang Road is closed for access into Goonegrah and Martins Creek
Trees can fall across roads and cause dangerous driving conditions.
Thick smoke and haze will continue to affect visibility.
Ash and embers may fall in areas well before the fire arrives.
Saturday, 12.45pm: A Watch & Act alert has been issued for Bonang, Cabanandra, Goongerah, Nurran, Sardine Creek and Martins Creek as an out of control bushfire crosses Yalmy Rd.
Latest alerts from Vic Emergency, click here
Residents in these areas being urged to not wait, leaving now is the safest option - conditions may change and get worse very quickly. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
A bushfire west of Goongerah and south west of Bonang is not yet under control. It has already burnt through 33,000 hectares.
The bushfire is travelling towards Goongerah, Martins Creek and Bonang communities.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has now crossed the Yalmy Road.
The Bonang Hwy is currently closed.
What you should do:
Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
If you are away from home, do not return.
If the situation changes or you feel unsafe you should leave:
Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area or go to Orbost Community Sports Complex, 40 Arnold Street, Orbost or the Delegate Golf Club, 3074 Delegate Road, Delegate.
Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
Impacts in your area:
Bushfires can spread quickly and are extremely dangerous.
Bushfires can start spot fires and embers large distances ahead of the main fire.
Smoke will be visible from nearby communities.
Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
The next update is expected by 4.50 pm or as the situation changes.
Health information:
If you need medical advice for burns or exposure to smoke, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call Triple Zero (000).
If you can see or smell smoke, please note:
Smoke can affect people's health.
People with heart or lung conditions (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.
People with existing heart or lung conditions (including asthma) should follow the treatment plan advised by the doctor.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
VicEmergency app.
Facebook or Twitter (#vicfires).
Tune in to 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.