Woodend CFA

24/01/2025

13/01/2025

13/01/2025

Summer time means road trips, holidays and travelling with those we love - it also means we need to be careful on the roads and ensure that when you see lights flashing, you need to give way to emergency vehicles 🚨

If an emergency vehicle has its lights on, you:
- must safely move out of its way
- give way and stop if necessary
(even if your traffic light is green)
- can enter an intersection on a red light if:
> it's safe
> the only way to make room.
You must also stop if twin red lights are flashing on a road, e.g. outside a fire station or ambulance station
Stay informed about current alerts and information at https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au

11/01/2025

An unattended campfire in Cape Otway led to a bushfire last week which forced more than 150 people to be evacuated from nearby campsites.

Emergency services responded to reports of a fire in bushland at Blanket Bay Road and Red Hill Track about 2:20am on Wednesday, 8 January.

Investigators have determined it was cause by an unattended campfire that had not been extinguished.

No one was injured but we are now treating this as a criminal investigation and appealing for witnesses. If you start a bushfire you could face up to 15 years in jail.

So it’s important to remember:
🔥 Use water to put out a campfire, not soil. The fire can smoulder and re-ignite later.
🔥 Drown all embers in water, not just the red ones.
🔥 Pour water until the fire stops making a hissing sound.

Anyone who was in the vicinity of the Blanket Bay campground on 8 January who may have information or dashcam, Go Pro or other video footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

10/01/2025

**Update: This warning has been cancelled. Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Central district.**

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rainfall.

Issued at: 4:37 pm Friday, 10 January 2025.

Where:
For people in parts of North Central, Central, Northern Country and North East Forecast Districts.

Locations which may be affected include Seymour.

When:
Slow moving thunderstorms with heavy rainfall continue in the centre of the state.

Situation:
A moist and unstable airmass extends over northeastern and central parts of the state. This has caused slow moving severe thunderstorms to develop along and to the north of the central ranges. Severe thunderstorms may persist throughout the afternoon, but should ease by the early evening.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

What you should do:
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2025, Bureau of Meteorology (ABN 92 637 533 532)
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next warning is due to be issued by 7:40 pm.

10/01/2025

As we watch the horrifying images of the fires burning in the United States, we know this fire crisis is far from over and understand all too well how devastating bushfires can be.

To the community and firefighters Los Angeles Fire Department, CAL FIRE and countless others on the front line - we are thinking of you throughout this time. 🇺🇸 ❤️

09/01/2025

09/01/2025

Victoria's combined source of emergency information and warnings, helping the community to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies across the state.

09/01/2025

05/01/2025

* RAIN AND STORMS SPREADING ACROSS VICTORIA ON MONDAY *

A band of rain and storms are expected to develop from midnight in southwestern Victoria and spread east across the state throughout Monday. Storms may initiate in parts of the central and eastern districts from the late morning, including around Melbourne. Storms will be most likely during the afternoon and will contract to the far east in the evening. Thunderstorms are not expected to be severe.

There is a slight risk of SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS with LARGE HAIL, HEAVY RAINFALL or DAMAGING WINDS in eastern Victoria during the afternoon if storms become organized.

I have already posted today's thunderstorm forecast for today (Monday). The risk mentioned above will start after midnight on Monday morning or later this evening.

Image - Rainfall forecast for Monday, 6th January 2025, from the ECMWF model via Weatherzone.

05/01/2025

🇦🇺🚒 In the event of an emergency it is essential that we are able locate your property as quickly and easily as possible.

One way to assist with that is to ensure your property is clearly numbered.

Another way, if possible and safe to do so, is to have someone meet emergency services to guide them where to go.

And if you are away from home and not sure where you are, you can use the Emergency Plus App to give Emergency Services your exact location.
Have a plan and be safe.

05/01/2025

2PM - DRY LIGHTNING RISK FOR PARTS OF THE MALLEE AND WIMMERA FORECAST DISTRICTS - SUNDAY *

Isolated high-based dry storms are currently developing through parts of the Mallee and Wimmera producing damaging wind gusts. These storms pose a fire risk as they slowly move towards the SE. A wind gust of 85km/h was recorded at Nhill Aerodrome at 1:34pm.

We urge landowners and residents to stay alert for potential new fire ignitions, especially with hot weather. If you see an unattended fire, please report it to Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Image - Current (1:55pm) radar scan for NW Victoria from Weatherzone.

05/01/2025

04/01/2025

We have a total fire band in our area tomorrow. Please stay safe keep an eye out for your family and friends.

03/01/2025

If you live in areas north and east of Melbourne, you’re going to get some hot weather this weekend.

This map from Bureau of Meteorology shows the areas that are expected to experience severe heatwave conditions on Saturday and Sunday.

Heat kills more Australians than any other natural disaster. Those most at risk are elderly people, young children and those with medical conditions. Make sure you look after yourselves, your pets and your family - never leave kids or elderly people in parked cars.

The Better Health website has some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat

03/01/2025