Bushfires in Bunyip State Park threatened communities in the South-East including Gembrook and Cockatoo who placed under a Watch and Act advice for the majority of the weekend.
Firefighters from across the region spent the weekend responding to multiple fires as a result of lightning strikes in Bunyip State Park on March 1.
A Watch and Act message from Vic Emergency was issued for Gembrook, Whites Corner and Beenak at 5pm on 1 March and remained in place during the entirety of the weekend. Cockatoo was also included in an advice message, urging residents to monitor conditions.
Two fires close to Gembrook have since been contained, and include one near Gilwell Park Scout Park in Kurth Kiln and another near Beenak East Road.
Fires in Bunyip State Park also threatened parts of Gembrook, though due to wind direction pushed the fire towards Bunyip and Tonimbuk, where a number of houses were lost.
On Monday 4 March a Watch and Act Message was reissued for Beenak, Gembrook, Mount Burnett, Nar Nar Goon North, Pakenham Upper, Tynong North and Whites Corner due to a change in wind direction which caused the Bunyip Fire to travel in a westerly direction.
Throughout the weekend Water bombing aircraft used Gembrook Football oval as a refuelling station.
Following advice from the Department of Education Gembrook Primary School and Cockatoo Primary School were closed on Monday 4 March, with buses stopping at Emerald.
“The Department of Education has reversed the decision on school closure due to the reinstatement of the Watch and Act alert covering Gembrook,” said a post on Facebook made by Gembrook primary School Principal Brendan Fitzpatrick.
“The school bus will not run. There will be no before or after school care.”
The Casey Cardinia Foundation has set up a platform for donations and anyone wanting to contribute financially to victims can do so through http://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/BunyipFireRelief
Red Cross has opened Register.Find.Reunite. and is urging people affected by the Bunyip Complex fires to get in touch with their families and friends.
“Being separated from family and friends is one of the most stressful things a person can experience during an emergency. Not knowing where your loved ones are, not being able to contact them by phone or email adds to that anxiety,” said Red Cross State Manager Emergency Services, Kate Siebert “The service helps find and reunite family, friends and loved ones during a disaster.”
Cardinia Shire CEO Carol Jeffs said the relief centres had already been overwhelmed with supplies.
Ms Jeffs said they had been overwhelmed by people’s generosity, with offers of food, supplies and volunteer labour.
“We don’t need food and clothes at this stage,” she said. “Hold that thought though.”
Residents are urged to stay informed by using the Vic Emergency App http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
