UPDATE: 7.10PM
BREAKING: Firefighters have brought the Swan Hill blaze under control tonight.
A Watch and Act warning for the Parsons Road, Swan Hill grassfire has been downgraded to an Advice warning after more than 30 crews have brought the blaze under control just after 7pm.
VicEmergency said the Advice message has been issued for Castle Donnington, Goschen and Swan Hill.
“There is a 320-hectare grassfire at Parsons Road, Swan Hill that is under control,” the message read.
Firefighters have been able to stop the spread of the fire at the Donald-Swan Hill Road area.
Firefighting crews, emergency vehicles and local land holders will be working in the area monitoring for any fire activity for some time.
Smoke may be visible.
There is currently no threat to communities, but you should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
A south westerly wind change has reached the fireground.
UPDATE: 7PM
WHAT WE KNOW:
– The blaze broke out just before 12.30pm at Parsons Road, Swan Hill but has since been contained, but not under control.
– A Watch and Act alert has been issued for residents in Swan Hill, Castle Donnington and Lake Boga.
– The blaze, fanned by strong winds and gusts up to 56km/h, has burnt more than 500 hectares.
– The grassfire is between Parsons Road, Swan Hill and the Donald-Swan Hill Road. Firefighters have been able to stop the spread of the fire at the Donald-Swan Hill Road area.
– More than 30 crews are battling the fire on the ground, supported by eight air tankers.
– Two firefighters have been taken to Swan Hill District Health in a stable condition after being treated for smoke inhalation.
– A crew had to run for their lives after a truck was burnt after flames came over the top of it.
– Two New South Wales water bombers, named Thor and Southern Belle, have been dispatched.
– The mercury hit 39.5 degrees in Swan Hill at 2.55pm.
– A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the state’s north-west, south-west and some northern areas.
UPDATE: 5.30PM
A south westerly wind change that is expected to arrive in the next two hours could see conditions worsen for fire crews battling the out of control grassfire at Swan Hill.
A Watch and Act message remains in place for Castle Donnington, Lake Boga and Swan Hill.
So far the blaze has burnt through 500 hectares.
This grassfire is between Parsons Road, Swan Hill and the Donald-Swan Hill Road.
Firefighters have been able to stop the spread of the fire at the Donald-Swan Hill Road area.
VicEmergency said firefighting crews, emergency vehicles and aircraft will be working in the area for some time.
Smoke will be visible for some time.
Current road closures:
Donald-Swan Hill Road is closed from Murray Valley Highway to Lake Boga-Ultima Road.
Lake Boga-Ultima Road is closed from Donald-Swan Hill road through to Long-Lake Road.
UPDATE: 5PM
A tanker has been destroyed while fighting today’s 500-hectare blaze at Swan Hill.
Emergency Management Commissioner said its crew was unharmed, “with the crews deploying exactly what they were meant to do to protect themselves”.
“They walked away from the truck but as a result the truck has been destroyed,” he said.
“A good outcome for the crews, but a loss of a truck.
“But the main thing is the crew is safe and they’ve had an experience this afternoon that they’ve done everything right to make sure their safety is the paramount issue.”
It’s unclear which crew’s tanker was destroyed.
UPDATE: 4.15PM
Firefighters are struggling to control an out of control grassfire in Swan Hill that has so far burnt through 400 hectares.
Eight aircraft are assisting 33 fire crews on the ground as the blaze continues to grow against the strong winds fanning the blaze.
Two women have been taken to Swan Hill District Health for smoke inhalation after a grassfire broke out on Parsons Road. The patients are in a stable condition.
The CFA has issued a warning for locals nearby Swan Hill, urging them to leave before it is too late.
It warned the grass fire could impact the Goschen and Castle Donnington areas.
“Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly,” it read.
“Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has now crossed the Donald-Swan Hill Road and moving towards Bushy Road and Back Boga Road,” the message read.
Temperatures in the area have hit 37C.
UPDATE: 3PM
A Watch and Act message remains in place for Castle Donnington, Goschen, Kunat, Lake Boga and Swan Hill.
There is a grassfire at Parsons Road that is not yet under control.
This grassfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Bushy Road.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has now crossed the Donald-Swan Hill Road and is moving towards Bushy Road and Back Boga Road.
This grassfire could impact the area between Goschen and Castle Donnington any time between now and 4pm today.
Current Road closures:
Donald-Swanhill Road at Lake Boga-Ultima Road
Donald-Swanhill Road at Murray Valley highway
Lake Boga-Ultima Road at Long-Lake Road
UPDATE: 2PM
Firefighters are battling a 500-acre bushfire in Swan Hill, as the mercury climbs towards 40 degrees in the region.
Twenty-seven fire trucks are fighting the blaze which was reported to the Country Fire Authority at 12.25pm
A CFA spokeswoman said the fire, which is burning 100 acres, has caused lots of smoke and resulted in police closing local roads.
“Crews on scene have requested aerial support, and the fire is not yet under control,” the spokeswoman said.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Steven McGibbony said the first Fire Weather Warning of the season had been issued, with severe fire danger in the Mallee.
“Temperatures in the Mallee are expected to rise into the 40s with the chance of dry lightning,” he said.
By this time last year BOM Victoria had already issued six fire weather warnings.
UPDATE: 1.40PM
CFA has issued a Watch and Act warning for a grassfire that is burning at Parsons Road, Swan Hill.
More than 20 CFA and NSW Rural Fire Service units are responding to the fire that is not yet under control.
The warning has been issued for the townships of Goschen, Castle Donnington, Kunat, Lake Boga and Swan Hill.
This grassfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Bushy Road.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has now crossed the Donald-Swan Hill Road and is moving towards Bushy Road and Back Boga Road.
This grassfire could impact the area between Goschen and Castle Donnington any time between now and 2pm today.
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:
– The best protection from radiant heat is distance.
– If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
– If you’re in a car and become caught in a grassfire, don’t get out and run.
– If you are currently driving slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
Travel to:
– The home of family or friends that are away from the warning area.
– When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.
– If you encounter smoke or flames whilst travelling, turn around and drive to safety. If you’re unable to turn around and drive to safety, a car offers more protection from the fire’s heat than being caught on foot in the open.
– Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond.
– If you are away from home do not return.
– If you stay, seek shelter indoors:
– Bring your pets indoors.
– Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and turn off cooling systems.
– Shelter in a room that has a door and or a window to the outside so you can keep an eye on what is happening with the fire.
Impacts in your area:
– Grassfires can start and spread quickly and are extremely dangerous.
– Grassfires can generate enormous amounts of radiant heat.
– If you live near grassland, parks or paddocks, you could be at risk.
The next update is expected by 21/11/2016 4pm or as the situation changes.
