'Prepare to leave': Grampians bushfire grows as homes under threat

An emergency warning has been downgraded in Victoria’s south-west as a bushfire continues to burn out-of-control in the Grampians National Park.

Residents in Mirranatwa, the Grampians, Jimmy Creek and Victoria Valley have been told to prepare to leave as a watch and act warning remains in place.

The bushfire continues to burn north and south of Mirranatwa, and has now grown to over 5400 hectares in size.

VicEmergency has warned that private property in the Mirrantwa area has been impacted and will remain under threat.

“Prepare to Leave immediately. Leave as soon as you are ready, as roads will become busy as people leave,” the warning said.

“Leave if the situation changes or you feel unsafe.”

VicEmergency recommends that impacted residents monitor the situation, including factors such as wind speed, wind direction, and poor visibility.

Community members in Mirrantwa have been advised they may see the glow from the fire and embers in the sky.

Residents wanting to leave have been advised to use Victoria Valley Road and head towards Dunkeld.

Several roads are closed including:

If you are travelling near the area, drivers have been told to make a safe U-turn and travel to safety.

A relief centre is being established at 14 Sterling Place in Dunkeld.

Heavy smoke continues to blanket the area, with a large plume visible from space.

The smoke plume created by the fire, which started yesterday afternoon, continues to grow.

The Grampians National Park is located about 258km from Melbourne.

Southwestern Victoria, including the Wimmera region, Grampians National Park, and Mallee country, are particularly at risk.

“The current level of landscape dryness in these areas is strong enough that without significant rainfall over the spring period, the flammability of fuels in forests and woodlands will remain high,” the report said.

The report warned that the bushfire season is highly likely to begin early in those areas.