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UPDATE 6.50PM: Veterinarians have put down 150 sheep in the aftermath of the Mia Mia fire.
A further 50 sheep perished in the blaze.
Veterinarians arrived on scene mid-afternoon and left in the evening. They will assess more stock in the morning.
A CFA spokeswoman said 301 CFA crew members attended the blaze which burnt 287 hectares of property today.
Ninety-five tankers, 20 small trucks, five aircraft, five bulldozers and one grader help control the fire.
The fire is now under control with the fire area trapped and CFA crews patrolling the perimetre.
Hotspots remain in parts of the affected area and patrols will monitor the area overnight.
The latest CFA advice update said Burke and Wills Track to traffic between McDonalds Lane and Buntings Lane. Smoke is expected to be visible in the area.
The next CFA update is expected at midnight or as the situation changes.
UPDATE 2.07PM:
A CFA Watch and Act message issued reads:
This is a DOWNGRADED Watch and Act message issue by CFA and Department of Environment and Primary Industries for Mia Mia, Meadow Valley, Glenhope.
Firefighters have stopped the spread of the grassfire in the MIA MIA area just east of Burke and Wills Road.
Staying close to shelter is the safest option, in case conditions change again suddenly. Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
UPDATE 1.25PM:
The CFA have released a Watch and Act message for Heathcote South, Argyle.
The message reads:
There is a large grassfire travelling fast in an easterly direction from the Burke and Wills Road towards Duncans Lane, Franklins Road and Randalls Lane.
This grassfire is currently not yet under control.
A wind change is expected around 3pm, which will cause the fire to change directions towards Heathcote South and Argyle.
If the fire is not contained before the wind change, it may impact Heathcote South and Argyle any time between 3pm and 5pm.
Burke and Wills Track is closed from Mia Mia Township to Buntings Lane.
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.
Travel to:
- The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights; smoke will make it difficult to see.
UPDATE 1.05PM:
Forty-three trucks have responded to the fire along with five aircraft including two fixed-wing aircraft holding 12,000 litres each.
The fire has crossed the Burke and Wills Tracks and is moving in a south-easterly direction.
The fire is moving toward Duncans Lane.
The Burke and Wills Track is now closed from Mia Mia Track to Buntings Lane.
UPDATE 12.59PM:
The CFA have reported the fire has crossed the Burker and Wills Track moving south-east fast towards Duncans Lane, Franklins Road and Randalls Lane.
UPDATE 12.55PM:
The ABC have reported "an emergency warning has been issued for an out-of-control grassfire burning near Mia Mia, Meadow Valley and Glenhope in central Victoria."
UPDATE 12.30PM:
The fire is now heading in a South-Easterly direction of Lancefield.
The CFA have updated "If grassfire crosses Burke and Wills Track it will head towards Duncans Lane, Franklins Road and Randalls Lane. Shelter indoors now."
UPDATE 12.10PM:
A State Control Centre said 20 tankers were on route with another 20 requested.
He said five aircraft were working with the tankers.
HE confirmed there were structures at risk.
THE CFA has issued an updated warning, which reads:
There is a fast moving, out of control grassfire travelling in a south easterly direction from Mia Mia to the Burke and Wills Track (also known as the Mia Lancefield Road).
DEPI and CFA firefighters are working to hold the fire at Burke and Wills Track but if it does cross Burke and Wills Track it will head towards Duncans Lane, Franklins Road and Randalls Lane.
Spot fires and ember attacks have been reported ahead of the fire.
You are in danger, act now to protect yourself.
It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
Safety Information
When 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.
In the car:
Park behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to a cleared area.
Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
Put on your hazard lights and headlights.
Turn the engine off, close all windows and ensure that car air vents are closed.
Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a woolen blanket.
UPDATE 11.50PM:
THE CFA has confirmed structures are at risk from the grassfire.
A State Control Centre spokesperson said it was not possible to confirm which houses were in danger.
Approximately 15 hectares had burnt and 18 tankers and two aircraft were on scene.
The spokesperson said the fire was about to cross the Mia Mia-Lancefied Road.
She said the embers from the fire could cause spot fires.
She said the fire was moving in an easterly direction.
UPDATE 11.45am: THE CFA has issued an updated warning, which reads:
This is an updated Emergency Warning issued by Country Fire Authority for Mia Mia, Meadow Valley, Glenhope.
The MIA MIA grassfire is currently not yet under control.
Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has now crossed Mia Mia - Lancefield Road and is moving in an Easterly direction.
Spot fires and ember attacks have been reported at ahead of the fire.
Firefighters on the ground and Air crews are responding. There are assets under threat.
You are now in immediate danger, act now to protect yourself. Emergency Services may not be able to help you.
It is too late to leave, take shelter indoors immediately..
The next update is expected by 18/12/14 2:00 PM or as the situation change.
EARLIER: THE CFA has issued an emergency warning for the Mia Mia, Meadow Valley, Glenhope communities.
Firefighters are responding to a large grassfire travelling in a easterly direction from Blacksmiths Lane and Valley Road towards Mia Mia Lancefield Road.
The CFA warning says the fire is about to cross the Mia Mia Lancefield Road. They may be embers causing spot fires infront of the head of the fire.
More to come.
Safety Information:
Review your bushfire survival plan.
If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.
If you have time check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
If you are experiencing smoke exposure, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.
Stay Informed:
Via www.emergency.vic.gov.au
Tune to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667.
Deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment can contact VBIL 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 VBIL. If you know someone who cannot speak English, provide them with this number.
Download the FireReady App or follow CFA_Updates on Twitter (#VicFires) or Facebook.
Road closures: check VicRoads website.