Type Status Location Last Updated
Emergency Warning - Fire Extreme Bessiebelle, Lake Condah, Breakaway Creek, Broadwater, Homerton 30/12/2019
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Bessiebelle, Breakaway Creek, Broadwater, Homerton, Lake Condah.

  • There is a bushfire at Millard_Track_Lake_Condah that is not yet under control.
  • The bushfire is travelling in a south-easterly direction towards Bessiebelle.
  • This bushfire could impact Bessiebelle any time between 1pm and 3pm.
Bessiebelle community could be impacted anytime within the next 2 hours. Leaving now 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:

You should travel to: 
  • The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area. 
  • When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone, Drivers Licence, Rates notice, Insurance policy and medications. 
  • You can go to Portland.

In the car: 
  • If you are travelling, do not enter the area, U-turn to safety.
  • Slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.

If you stay seek shelter 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 - It is critical to keep an eye on what is happening with the fire.

If you cannot get indoors, other last resort options include: 
  • A large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
  • 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:
  • 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.
  • Leave the engine on, close all windows.
  • Turn on the air-conditioning and recirculation button / switch.
  • Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
  • Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area: 
  • The following roads are closed: Hamilton-Port Fairy Road between Macarthur and Broadwater; Heywood-Woolsthorpe Road. 
  • Residents at Bessiebelle  should leave via Portland-Woolsthorpe Road and travel towards Portland.
  • A wind change is expected around 2pm, which will cause the fire to change directions towards Macarthur.
  • Spot fires and embers are starting up to 10km ahead of the main fire at Lake Condah.
This messages was issued by Forest Fire Management.

The next update is expected by 30/12/2019 01:30 pm or as the situation changes.

Health information:
  • If you need medical advice for burns or exposure to smoke, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
  • Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call 000.
Smoke information: 
  • Smoke can affect people's health.
  • People with heart or lung conditions (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.
  • People with existing heart or lung conditions (including asthma) should follow the treatment plan advised by the doctor.
Stay informed: 
  • Via www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
  • Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
  • Call the VicEmergency Hotline to talk to someone about this warning on freecall 1800 226 226.
  • People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have a speech/communication impairment can contact VicEmergency Hotline via the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.
  • For help with English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to telephone VicEmergency Hotline. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.
  • Download the VicEmergency app or follow VicEmergency on Twitter (#vicfires) or Facebook.