The huge Grampians blaze has now burnt 31,000ha. Picture: Jason Edwards Source: Herald Sun
AN emergency bushfire warning for the Grampians town of Glenisla has been downgraded, but residents have been warned to stay alert.
The fast-moving bushfire jumped containment lines this morning, prompting the CFA to issue an emergency warning for residents near the Glenisla Crossing.
But the threat was downgraded to Watch and Act after fire crews managed to re-form barriers around the blaze.
The Grampians fire has burnt through 31,000 hectares of bush in the state forest, increasing dramatically in size overnight.
A state control centre spokeswoman said while an overnight wind change slowed the fire last night, the blaze jumped containment lines this morning.
"It jumped containment lines in the northeast corner," she said.
"We have 374 firefighters in the area who are battling the blaze.”
The blaze is only kilometres away from the historic Glenisla Homestead.
About 370 crew, more than 80 vehicles have and 14 aircraft will continue to fight the fire today.
The blaze, which was sparked by multiple lighting strikes a week ago, has spewed embers up to 30km ahead of the firefront and fuelled further spot fires.
Glenisla, Cherrypool, Woohlpooer and Mooralla are the latest rural townships to be threatened by the blaze, with residents warned to action their fire survival plans as a precaution.
State Control Centre spokesman Kevin Monk said the latest threat sparked when the fire was propelled by strong wind gusts across the Henty Hwy between the communities of Glenisla and Woohlpooer.
“The winds have been very variable around this area,” he said last night.
A CFA spokeswoman said there were six large farms in the Glenisla region and their residents were all doorknocked on Wednesday and warned to have their fire plan ready to enact.
"The fire is quite close to properties in the area," she said.
Keep up to date with CFA fire events at its website.
STAY SAFE
The Herald Sun has joined with fire authorities to keep Victorians informed. Check out the Bushfire Ready page for the latest advice, warnings and videos from the CFA. This page is updated with the latest warnings from across the state. Save it to your bookmarks. You can access it from our homepage (click on Bushfire Ready) from any computer. This service is not available on smart phones.
Check live weather information - including fire warnings - on your computer AND smart phone at our Weather page. Just add m.heraldsun.com.au to your smart phone bookmarks and follow the View weather forecast link.
The CFA has a live fire map. Check it out here and add to your bookmarks.
Reports and alerts will also be posted to our Facebook page and from our official Twitter account.
- with Andy Burns
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