An Emergency Warning is being issued for Break O’Day, Buxton, Clonbinane, Devlin Bridge, Flowerdale, Glenburn, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Marysville, Murrindindi, Rubicon, Taggerty, Toolangi, Woodbourne.
The bushfire is travelling from Longwood in a southerly direction towards Taggerty and Buxton.
A wind change is expected at around 8pm tonight (Friday 9 January). This will cause the fire to change direction to the north east, heading back towards Strathbogie.
Conditions will become very dangerous and unpredictable!
Leaving immediately 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:
Travel to:
– The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
– You should leave and head away from the fire area.
– When you leave remember to take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
In the car:
– If you are travelling, do not enter the area. Make a u-turn and travel 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.
Emergency Relief Centres are open at:
Lilydale High School, 25 Melba Avenue, Lilydale and Whittlesea Civic Centre 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.
Caged pets can be taken to relief centres.
