THE advice for a pair of fires burning in Wyperfeld National Park had changed, with warnings upgraded to watch and act – prepare to leave.
The upgraded advice, issued at 4.30pm, applies communities at Willa, Hopetoun, Patchewollock and Yaapeet.
“It is strongly recommended you prepare to leave,” a statement from Emergency Victoria said.
“There is a bushfire 23 kilometres south-west of Patchewollock in Wyperfeld National Park. The bushfire is not yet under control.
“The bushfire is travelling from Freeway Track towards Jim Bathgate Road.”
People evacuating are advised to head to Blackburn Park on Farrell Street at Ouyen, the same location set up as part of Friday’s response to another, nearby fire originating at Boinka.
The two fires that started south-west of Patchewollock ignited yesterday morning and combined have burned out a 1840 hectares of mostly national park.
Mapping shows the fire is just a few kilometres away from Willa on Hopetown-Walpeup Road, and heading north-east towards Patchewollock-Sealake Road in-between Patche and Speed.
For the most up-to-date information on the fires across the state visit the Emergency Victoria website or use the smart phone app, as well as via emergency broadcasters ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, and/ or Sky News TV.
Tomorrow, Sunday 11 January is a day of total fire ban and fire danger rating for the Mallee is listed at high.
