Residents forced to evacuate their homes north-west of Ballarat have been allowed to return home this afternoon.
Firefighters managed to stop the blaze that’s burned through more than 22,000 hectares at Bayindeen from spreading any further, despite yesterday afternoon’s less than ideal conditions.
Luke Hegarty from the State Control Centre says conditions have eased.
“Yesterday, due to the great level of work by crews over the past week that fire didn’t expand in size which we are really thankful for.”
“We saw a few little flair ups within the burnt area and a bit of smoke in the afternoon when the wind and temperatures picked up, but nothing that was outside the immediate fire area,” Mr. Hegarty said.
Meantime, a grassfire that started at Kleins Rd, Dereel last night is under control.
Fire crews will be undertaking fuel reduction activities today to further contain the fire.
Locals may see increased levels of smoke over the coming hours as firefighters complete these necessary tasks.
