Update, Sunday, 4pm:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of a fire in Huntly that burned more than 100 hectares of land on Saturday.
The fire started at Bendigo Creek Reserve near Millwood Road just before 3pm and quickly spread.
Emergency services have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
A Powercor spokesman said Powercor crews attended the fire at Huntly at the request of emergency services after reports of electrical wires coming down.
Thirty-nine homes lost power during the fire.
"Crews worked to make the area safe for emergency services on Saturday and will undertake more extensive repairs on Sunday," the Powercor spokesman said.
"Powercor will continue to work with emergency services as they investigate the cause of the fire."
Bendigo CFA senior station officer Craig Houlahan said on Saturday fire investigators were examining some power lines near the fire.
"We have a fire investigator here at the moment and they are looking around some power lines but it is still under investigation at this stage," he said.
Update, Sunday, 9.15am:
A number of CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria crews are still patrolling the fire affected area in Huntly.
The fire is under control with more than 100 hectares affected.
CFA District 2 duty officer John Breaks said crews also patrolled the fire site overnight.
"A majority of the work to be done is along the creek line where trees and heavier fuel loads are," he said.
"That has been the focus overnight and this morning."
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined with investigations ongoing.
Update, Saturday, 7pm:
Bendigo CFA senior station officer Craign Houlahan said fire crews will continue to contain the Huntly fire for the next five to six hours.
Crews will also stay overnight to ensure the fire does not flare up again.
"The situation at this point is the fire has been contained," he said. "With the strong southerly winds and the hot temperatures, we're still getting outbreaks but we have sufficient crews to contain it to the area of origin at this stage.
"Crews will be on scene for approximately another five to six hours and there will be crews working overnight to make sure the fire doesn't get away.
"Roads will be closed for approximately five or six hours."
Mr Houlahan said the cause of the fire was still being investigated.
"We have a fire investigator here at the moment and they are looking around some power lines but it is still under investigation at this stage," he said.
Three properties were threatened by the Millwood Road fire but fire crews were able to protect those houses.
Mr Houlahan said about 140 hectares of land was burnt by the fire.
"Crews went directly to those properties to protect them. Nobody was injured," he said.
"Forty CFA tankers, 15 CFA support and 25 forest firefighting units are on scene..
"No stock was lost, numerous fences have been damaged but no other property was lost thanks to some great work from the initial crews going straight to the houses and saving them."
Update 6pm:
The CFA says the fire is contained, and crews are expected to remain on scene for several hours this evening.
Roads around the fire will remain closed while crews continue their work.
The fire's cause is being investigated.
Update 5pm:
Chris Pedler and photographer Noni Hyett are reporting from the scene. A helicopter is continuing to drop water on the fire, which remains out of control.
Update 4.40pm:
Despite the warning downgrade, it remains a busy fireground as crews try to get the flames under control.
There are also several local roads blocked, including the Midland Highway.
Update 4.30pm:
The warning level has been downgraded to Watch and Act, but the fire is not yet under control.
Here is the latest from the CFA:
Issued Today at 4:28 PM.
This Watch & Act message is being issued for Bagshot, Bagshot North, Huntly, Huntly North, Neilborough, Whipstick.
- This is an updated watch and act that replaces the emergency warning issued at 3.26pm.
- There is a bushfire at Millwood Road, Huntly that is not yet under control.
- Firefighters have been able to slow the spread of fire for now, but the situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.
- Traffic Management points are located at:Millwood Road and Old Murray Road, Tennyson and Old Murray Road, Brights Road and Caellis Road.
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:
- Enact your fire survival plan.
- Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
- If you are away from home, do not return.
If the situation changes or you feel unsafe you should leave:
- Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
- Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area orgo to the Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve, 353 Midland Highway, Epsom.
- If you have time check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
Impacts in your area:
- Bushfires can spread quickly and are extremely dangerous.
This message was issued by Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning.
The next update is expected by 04/01/2020 06:00 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 Triple Zero (000).
If you can see or smell smoke, please note:
- 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.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
- www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
- VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
- VicEmergency app.
- Facebook or Twitter (#vicfires).
- Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
- To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.
Update 4.10pm:
An Emergency Warning remains in place for the Millwood Road fire.
Aircraft are helping about 30 ground appliances to try to control the flames.
Update 3.55pm:
At the intersection of Millwood and Old Murray Road, a number of people have come together in an effort to move animals from the Bendigo Animal Welfare Community Services.
Volunteer Raquel Kilby said there had been a good response to a Facebook post calling for people to help move animals.
"We just wanted to get as many people here to help as we could," she said.
"There are sheep, cows, chickens, horses, cats and dogs there.
"There would be about 60 cats there. It's a boarding facility."
Update 3.45pm:
A Watch and Act warning has been issued for areas around the fire.
Details here.
Earlier:
An Emergency Warning has been issued for a fire burning at Huntly, in Bendigo's northern suburbs.
The Country Fire Authority said it has 25 vehicles on scene, and air support has been requested.
Police are directing traffic away from the area.
Issued Today at 3:00 PM.
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Huntly, Huntly North.
- There is a grassfire at Millwood Rd, Huntly that is not yet under control.
- The grassfire is travelling from Millwood Road in a north easterly towards Brights Lane.
- This grassfire could impact on houses in this area.
Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
If it is too late or you are unable to leave seek shelter in doors.
What you should do
- When you leave take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Travel to:
- The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
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.
Emergency Services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
If you are unable to leave seek 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.
Impacts in your area:
Grassfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the flames reach you.
This messages was issued by Country Fire Authority.
The next update is expected by 04/01/2020 04:10 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 Triple Zero (000).
If you can see or smell smoke, please note:
- 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.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
- www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
- VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
- VicEmergency app.
- Facebook or Twitter (#vicfires).
- Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
- To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.