An Aussie flag flies defiantly in the face of catastrophe as CFA members douse a home at Longwood as flames approach. Photo: AAP Image/Michael Currie.
One person has died and about 136,000 hectares of land has been burnt in what began as two grass fires on the side of the Hume Fwy.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Firefighters were initially called to the Longwood area at 2.29pm on Wednesday, January 7.
About two hours later, the fire had burnt 128 hectares.
As emergency warnings to leave now or take shelter immediately flooded in, residents were cautioned that disastrous conditions would arise in the days following the initial blaze, with Friday, January 9 declared to have a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating for the Mitchell, Murrindindi and Strathbogie Shires.
Mark Kelly of Kellbell Earthworks was grading fire breaks at farms in the fire zones near Ruffy. Image taken at Caveat-Dropmore Rd, Caveat.
On Thursday, January 8, the fire began to spread from the Longwood, Ruffy, Tarcombe, Upton Hill, Dropmore, Caveat and Terip Terip region into Avenel, Euroa, Whiteheads Creek, Trawool and surrounds.
The Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre became a community relief centre, with travellers from across the region seeking refuge at the Pollard St site.
Relief centres were also opened at the Mansfield Sporting Complex, and later the Benalla Town Hall.
Wandong Fire Brigade supplied this photo of the nearby blaze as it attended the scene overnight on Friday, January 9.
Photo by
Supplied
At a community meeting on Thursday afternoon, CFA deputy incident controller Greg Murphy warned that there may be “no chance of controlling this fire” the following day.
“Catastrophic conditions, to us, means that the fire is uncontrollable, it is unpredictable, and it will move. And that’s tomorrow’s conditions,” he said.
A Watch and Act warning was first issued for Yea, Alexandra, and other surrounding townships on Thursday, with those in this region urged to leave immediately the following day.
During the evening of Friday, January 9, residents were alerted of an expected wind change, causing the fire to head back towards Strathbogie.
As the blaze continued to expand, Goulburn Valley Water requested locals limit their water use, with many residents taking to social media to say they had lost water pressure on Friday afternoon.
Temperatures cooled overnight; however, 14 warnings remained in place on Saturday, January 10, with the wind adding to the unpredictability of the situation.
At 10.30am on Saturday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan declared a State of Disaster in 18 fire-affected local government areas.
Strathbogie, Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires were included in this declaration.
Relief payments were also announced for those impacted by the blazes across the state, with the Victorian Government opening the Personal Hardship Assistance Program – payments which help to cover the cost of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation.
On Sunday, January 11, emergency warnings had eased in many parts of Central Victoria, with stern warnings remaining in place for Longwood, Ruffy, Whiteheads Creek, Tarcombe and surrounds.
Billowing smoke could be seen from Delatite Rd in Seymour on Friday, January 9.
Photo by
Billie Davern
On Sunday afternoon, Victoria Police confirmed that human remains were found in the Longwood bushfire area.
Police accessed a fire-affected stretch off Yarck Rd at Gobur and found the remains 100 metres from a vehicle.
The person has been identified as local cattle farmer Max Hobson.
The Victorian Premier issued a statement after the news broke:
“This loss will be felt far beyond Gobur, and it marks the first known fire-related fatality during what has already been an incredibly challenging period for our state,” Ms Allan said.
While parts of the blaze are yet to be completely under control, many of the emergency warnings have eased, and, as of 10am on Monday, January 12, there are no Leave Immediately or Take Shelter Now warnings in place.
Longwood bushfire statistics
About 136,000 hectares burnt
Just over 150 structures destroyed
Over 400 firefighting personnel on the scene
Over 100 firefighting appliances used
Cattle farmer Max Hobson has died in Gobur
As evacuees begin to return to their homes, there remains a level of uncertainty in the air at what they will find there.
It’s been confirmed that just over 150 structures have been lost as a result of the bushfire so far, including an historic primary school in Ruffy, as well as livestock, cropping land and vineyards.
Over 400 firefighting personnel have been on the scene in the course of the fire, using over 100 firefighting appliances, including vehicles.
As of Monday, a State Control Centre spokesperson said aircraft would be up again today, and while cooler temperatures are welcome, the winds are still providing a challenge for firefighters on the ground.
The cause of the blaze is still yet to be determined.
24°C