After a day of high alert as the state experienced yet another extreme fire risk day on Wednesday, firefighters and residents alike were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief yesterday as a fire north-west of Beaufort was officially declared under control. 

A catastrophic fire danger warning was in place for the Wimmera region on Wednesday, while much of the central and northern parts of the state were placed under extreme fire danger ratings, with high temperatures and strong winds forecast later in the day. 

Of particular concern was the Bayindeen-Rocky Road bushfire, which has burnt over 20,000 hectares in the last week. 

In the lead up to Wednesday, firefighting agencies were working to construct mineral earth containment lines around the fire to prevent its spread and while the fire did jump these lines during the day’s extreme weather conditions, firefighters were able to re-contain the blaze. 

Late Wednesday afternoon, a second fire began spreading towards the community of Dereel, south of Ballarat, with residents told to shelter indoors as fire crews worked to slow the fire’s spread. 

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to around 100 hectares, with minimal property loss reported. 

Yesterday afternoon, Vic Emergency updated their advice around the Bayindeen fire, stating the incident was under control and it is now safe for residents to return home. 

The safe to return home message was issued for residents of communities including Amphitheatre, Avoca, Elmhurst, Lamplough, Lexton, Percydale, Warrenmang and several others. 

Speaking on Thursday, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan praised the actions of firefighters in containing fires across the state. 

“It was a really horrible day and firefighters did a fantastic job in keeping the Bayindeen fire at bay and getting on top of the Dereel fire,” he said. 

“We’ve got the New South Wales resources still in the state and they’re going to assist us today with some mopping up and blacking out activities and to give some of our local crews a rest. 

“We are looking at a couple of days of milder weather however I do have my eyes to Wednesday next week where the Bureau of Meteorology is giving signals it might be our next fire spike day, but it certainly won’t be anywhere near what we saw yesterday.” 

Mr Heffernan said given the size of the Bayindeen fire, firefighters had done well to save as many properties as they have so far.  

“For the size of the Bayindeen fire and how hard that fire ran in the early stages, we’re fortunate the losses were only very small,” he said. 

“A lot of houses were saved as a result of direct intervention of firefighters and property owners, particularly around the Raglan area.” 

Communities in the area surrounding the Bayindeen fire including Amphitheatre, Beaufort, Clunes, Elmhurst, Learmonth, Lexton and surrounds were advised to leave their homes before Wednesday’s conditions took hold. 

While many residents leaving fire impacted areas nominated to stay with friends or family, others made use of temporary relief centres that have opened in nearby towns. 

Relief centres are currently open at Alexandra Oval, Ararat, Selkirks Stadium in Ballarat and at Maryborough’s Princes Park, where 165 people were registered and staying as of Thursday morning. 

With milder conditions forecast over the coming days, authorities will continue to review the area around the Bayindeen fire and adjust the messaging accordingly. 

Residents are encouraged to check the VicEmergency website and app frequently for up-to-date information on warnings and alerts, and to tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.