Too late to leave as Otways bushfire bears down
Campers and residents in parts of the Otways, along Victoria’s south-west coast, have been told it is too late to leave as an out-of-control bushfire burns national parkland and threatens campers.
In an emergency warning updated shortly before 7am, anyone in Cape Otway and southern parts of Hordern Vale has been told to take shelter indoors immediately as the bushfire travels west from Blanket Bay Road towards Lighthouse Road – the only road leading in and out of the area. The warning was upgraded from an evacuation alert overnight.
Cape Otway, where a bushfire has prompted campers and residents to evacuate overnight.
Twenty-six firefighting vehicles are responding to the blaze. An evacuation centre has been established at the Apollo Bay Community Centre.
A sunny 24-degree day is forecast for Cape Otway on Wednesday.
It comes after the bushfire in the Grampians National Park was contained on Monday. The blaze scorched more than 76,000 hectares, destroying four homes and 40 outbuildings in surrounding towns.
CFA incident controller Peter West said: “Coinciding with what is typically the busiest season for tourism in the area, the fire has resulted in considerable hardships and financial losses for local businesses and communities.”
On Wednesday, Halls Gap, a popular tourist town at the foot of the Grampians, will reopen to visitors from 10am. Unaffected parts of the national park will reopen from 9am on Friday.
More to come.
