Ballarat City Fire Brigade - CFA

AFAC, the national council for fire and emergency services, has just released their bushfire outlook report for spring. For our neck of the woods, the news is important to be aware of.

In the west and southwest of the state, both autumn and winter were abnormally dry. At the same time, spring is forecast to be warmer than than average. This combination of factors will give us more dead plant material and a dryer landscape that will 'cure' earlier in the season.

Now is the time to start planning for the fire season, and preparing your home. To get started, check out https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare

If you'd like to read more about the seasonal outlook, including the risk profile for the rest of the country, you can visit https://www.afac.com.au/auxiliary/publications/newsletter/article/seasonal-bushfire-outlook-spring-2024

ADVICE - SEVERE WEATHER - Stay Informed
Incident Location: Central and southern Victoria including Alpine areas
Issue Date: Saturday 31 August 2024, 05:39 pm
Next Update: Sunday 01 September 2024, 06:00 am

More details at http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ #!/warning/34184/moreinfo

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for people in Central, East Gippsland, South West, North Central, West and South Gippsland, Wimmera and parts of Northern Country, North East and Mallee Forecast Districts.

- A vigorous west to northwesterly airstream is bringing damaging winds to parts of the state, easing slightly overnight.
- Winds are expected to strengthen again Sunday afternoon, ahead of a strong cold front. Conditions are expected to ease throughout the state on Monday morning.
- Destructive west to northwesterly winds with peak gusts of up to 130 km/h are possible from Sunday evening at coastal locations from the South Australian border to Bellarine Peninsula, southeastern Melbourne suburbs, and Mornington Peninsula to Wilsons Promontory, primarily in showers.

For Central Victoria including metropolitan Melbourne:
- Damaging west to northwesterly winds averaging 50 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible from late Sunday afternoon.

For Western Victoria, the Geelong area, the Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland:
- Damaging west to northwesterly winds averaging 50 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible about coastal areas this evening, extending throughout western districts on Sunday, and Gippsland during Sunday evening.
For the Northeast Ranges:
- Damaging west to northwesterly winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to 100 km/h are possible throughout the weekend.
- Destructive wind gusts up to 130 km/h are possible from Sunday evening.

- Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
- A Coastal Hazard Warning is also current for the Victorian coastline. Refer to the http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/ and https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/.

Stay informed and be aware of potential hazards caused by the severe weather. Hazards include debris, damaged buildings, fallen trees and branches and fallen power lines.

Please be prepared for seriously destructive winds tonight and over the coming days. If you haven't already, take some time to secure loose items around your property.

*This has been updated with the latest information.

Severe Weather Warning for damaging, locally destructive winds.

Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Issued at: 4:27 am Wednesday, 28 August 2024.

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

Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.

When:
Damaging winds forecast to continue over parts of Victoria today.

Situation:
A strong cold front over southwestern Victoria is forecast to track eastward over the remainder of the State this morning and afternoon, producing a vigorous westerly airstream in its wake.

Conditions are expected to ease later this evening as the cold front moves off the coast and into the Tasman Sea.

Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts around 100 km/h are possible across the warning area from late morning with the risk of gusts up to 110 km/h impacting coastal locations, mostly with thunderstorms across the most southern coasts.

Winds are expected to rapidly ease inland in the evening then contract to the Gippsland coast by tonight.

Impacts:
• Sustained 96 km/h winds with a 128 km/h wind gust were recorded at Mount Buller at 2:48 am
• Sustained 89 km/h winds with a 111 km/h wind gust were recorded at Mount Hotham at 11:22 pm
• Sustained 91 km/h winds with a 106 km/h wind gust were recorded at Mount Gellibrand at 11:37 pm
• Sustained 72 km/h winds with a 93 km/h wind gust were recorded at Kilmore Gap at 1 am
• 96 km/h wind gust was recorded at Avalon Airport at 1:37 am

What you should do:
The Victoria 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.
• 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 Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 am AEST Wednesday.

Today's thunderstorm forecast updated to include Ballarat in the expanded 'likely' area. Now is the time to ensure you are prepared ‼️ https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/emergencies/storm

ADVICE - THUNDERSTORM - Stay Informed
Incident Location: Victoria
Issue Date: Sunday 25 August 2024, 10:35 am
Next Update: Sunday 25 August 2024, 06:00 pm

More details at http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ #!/warning/34086/moreinfo

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast possible Severe Thunderstorms for the majority of Victoria.

- Damaging winds, large hail are possible within the forecast area.
- Destructive winds and localised heavy rain may be possible during thunderstorms.

Be aware of potential hazards caused by severe thunderstorms, including damaged buildings, trees down, debris and fallen powerlines.

An important update from the legends at the Bureau of Meteorology about likely severe thunderstorm activity in Ballarat and across much of the state tomorrow. Keep an eye out as the situation develops, and take particular care if you need to be on the road.

Severe Weather Update: Damaging wind gusts and severe thunderstorms for New South Wales and Victoria Damaging wind gusts and severe thunderstorms for southern New South Wales and northern Victoria Video current: 12:30pm AEST Saturday 24 August 2024.For the l...

Sleep easy by turning on electric blankets 30 minutes before bed and turn it off when you go to bed. www.cfa.vic.gov.au/homefire

Winter is the peak time for heater fires.🔥 Always turn your heater off before going to bed or leaving the house. Stay safe in your home this winter - visit cfa.vic.gov.au/homefire

Have you cleaned your chimney or flue recently? If you're lighting up your fireplace this weekend, ensure you check your chimney.
✅ Use a torch to check for creosote build-up or obstructions like bird nests.
✅ Have your chimney professionally cleaned annually.
cfa.vic.gov.au/homefire

Just a little bit fresh outside! The bushfires may slow down, but the training doesn't. Tonight some newer members have been spending time refining their hose handling technique, in preparation for the season ahead.

**Update** As of 9am Saturday 20 July, automatic alarms are now restored. This issue will continue to be monitored.
The Victorian community should continue to call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
There is no impact to Triple Zero call-taking and dispatch of services.

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Due to worldwide technical outages, Victorian fire services have become aware that some residential and business buildings that have monitored fire alarms may not automatically call the fire brigade.

Whilst this issue is being investigated by the alarm companies, we ask Victorians to call 000 if your building fire alarm is activated, or if you see flames or smoke.

For more information contact your building manager or managing agent.

Today we farewelled one of our own. Michael Walsh was a Life Member of Ballarat City Fire Brigade, with over 50 years of service to the CFA. Among his many contributions to the brigade, Michael was a fixture at our annual collection for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, personally raising thousands of dollars for sick kids over a number of years.

Our sincere condolences to Michael's friends and family.

Have you discussed with your family what you would do if there was a fire in your home? Make sure you have a well-prepared and practiced home fire escape plan. Households who plan ahead have a better chance of a safe escape without panic. 🏠
Find out more at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/escape-plans

Summer is well and truly over, but the threat of fire is not. Take care when burning off, and read more about how to do it safely here: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property/burning-off

Ballarat City Fire Brigade joined with other local brigades this morning at the Firefighters’ Memorial on the Avenue of Honour, to remember those firefighters from Ballarat who have served our country in war.

Lest We Forget.

A great reminder from our friends down the road.

As we leave fire restrictions behind us in the city of Ballarat area, please keep in mind that when you're toasting those marshmallows or burning off that pile you've been looking at for the past 6 months, ensure that you are doing so in line with local laws. Visit the City of Ballarat website to find out if you can burn off. If you are permitted, be sure to register your burn off. You can find out how to do that below.

Can I burn off: https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-04/How_to_Burn_Off_Safely.pdf

Burning off safely:
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/534/Burn_Off_Flyer.pdf.aspx?Embed=Y

Registering your burn off:
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/contact/register-your-burn-off

Please be aware, the Fire Danger Period for our area will now be lifted as of 1:00am Monday 22 April 2024.

Today's search results are in and it looks like we're all waking up a little confused about what time it is ⏰
Regardless of where you are, what time zone you are in - use the extra hour to check your smoke alarm. www.cfa.vic.gov.au/smokealarm

Last night, Ballarat City Fire Brigade conducted its biennial elections for office bearers. Our Brigade Management Team for the next two years will be (left to right): 2nd Lieutenant Nathan Bootsman, 1st Lieutenant Anthony McGrath, 3rd Lieutenant James Raynes, Captain Nicole McGrath, Secretary Brendan Walker and Treasurer Billy McCabe.

Damaging winds and heavy rainfall are expected from this afternoon into tomorrow morning across much of Victoria. Rainfall totals between 30 to 50 mm are likely over a six hour period, with isolated falls of 70 mm possible.

Now is the time to prepare:

🚗 Park your car undercover and away from trees, and clean your gutters, downpipes and drains to ensure they are not blocked.

💨 Check that loose items such as outdoor furniture, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured before the storm arrives.

⚠️ Be alert to dangerous road conditions when driving, including fallen trees and power lines.

🌊 Never drive through floodwater.

Stay informed via VicEmergency: www.emergency.vic.gov.au and read the current Bureau of Meteorology warning: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

For flood and storm emergency assistance from Victoria State Emergency Service call 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000).