Firefighters are preparing ”risky and tricky” conditions over the next week as multiple blazes continue to burn out of control in Victoria’s south-west.
The fire has claimed at least one home, along with a popular wedding and camping venue.
Lightning strike sparks fire as Melbourne sizzles in heat
Little Desert Nature Lodge camp director Moshe Kahn told Today that the much-loved venue had been destroyed.
“It was a cherished part of our community and it’s devastating,” he said.
Kahn said he couldn’t believe the fire had impacted the lodge but confirmed staff and wildlife were safe.
“We had a camp on the weekend with 100 young people and it was great energy. Camp ended Monday morning and everyone said goodbye and went home. There was no discussion of a bushfire,” he said.
“It was later in the afternoon when staff were told to evacuate and a short period later the whole campsite was on fire. Initially, staff didn’t think much, the CFA told them to evacuate and obviously they did.”
The camp director said they had just concluded their camping season, where they welcomed at least 2000 children.
“Our goal is to allow city children to connect to nature and there are very few sites like Little Desert,” Kahn said.
“We hope to rebuild that’s our objective and our mission stands strong and tall.”
A watch and act message remains active for the Little Desert National Park and surrounding areas including Lawloit, Kinimakatka, Winiam, Gerang Gerung, Dimboola west of the Wimmera River, Duchembegarra and Nurcoung.
“The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act,” the warning said.
A recovery centre will be open from today at the Dimboola Library.
A community meeting will also be held there at 5pm.
Several lighting strikes also resulted in multiple new fires across the Grampians National Park earlier this week.
The areas the fires are burning in include the Wallaby Rocks Track, Asses Ears, Taylors Track and Bullawin Road.
“The two Wallaby Rocks Track [fires] have joined up and are burning towards the Asses Ears fires and we suspect those three fires will join as the current fire spreads. They continue to creep northwards,” Fountain said.
“Our ground crews continue to work well and are tracking the fires with machinery and other, direct and indirect attack strategies.”
Fountain said the Bullawin Road fire is causing concern to authorities.
“We are implementing containment strategies both within the Grampians National Park and starting containment strategies across private land in the coming days,” he said.
“The objective is to get containment lines around these fires and secure the edges of those fires and put strategies in place to mitigate the risk of further outbreak as we see increased fire continues in the coming week.
“This is a risk and tricky period.”
A watch and act message remains active for Glenisla, Strachans, Victoria Valley in the Grampians National Park.
“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,” the alert said.
A separate warning remains for Brimpaen, Cherrypool, Cranage, Glenisla, Laharum, Wartook and Zumsteins.
“The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act,” the alert said.
