A bushfire has prompted urgent evacuations at Cape Otway, located on Victoria's south-west coast, as fire authorities respond to flames threatening local campers and residents. The fire began early Wednesday morning at Blanket Bay Road, where firefighters warned it was too late for many to evacuate safely.
The blaze, which has since burned approximately 11 hectares, quickly escalated, leading to emergency alerts being sent to over 1,000 locals and tourists. The CFA has advised individuals to take shelter indoors rather than attempting to exit the area. A watch and act alert has been issued for Hordern Vale and Glenaire as conditions remain precarious.
Chris Hardman, Chief Fire Officer for Forest Fire Management Victoria, reported, "We’ve actually got about 100 campers at Blanket Bay campground who are isolated. It's just not safe to get them out at the moment." He reassured, stating, "They’ve got firefighting resources with them so there’s no immediate danger.” Emergency crews have effectively slowed the spread of the fire, but officials remain concerned as the situation evolves.
For many campers, the alarm came as they were asleep. Ricky Carson, who was staying at Bimbi Park with his family, recounted the early morning chaos. "When you're hearing it's a bushfire just a couple of kilometers away, yeah, it starts to really kick in," he said, describing the confusion and urgency. Most guests managed to evacuate within the hour, demonstrating commendable organization from camping management.
Katrina Fotinas, owner of Bimbi Park, praised the attendees for their calmness, stating, "All of our guests were calm and we had no problems and within an hour everyone was out of the park." She highlighted the importance of regularly updating their bushfire plan, which proved effective during the crisis.
The situation escalated around 1:19 AM as reports of the fire near Lighthouse Road began surfacing. Frank Fotinas, another campground operator, acknowledged the swift actions taken by guests but also expressed concern for his livestock should the fire approach.
The CFA continues to monitor the fire closely, and aerial support has been secured to check for any spot fires beyond the primary blaze. Locals have been urged to heed safety alerts, with no one allowed to re-enter the Blanket Bay campground until authorities declare it safe.
A comprehensive evacuation centre has been set up at the Apollo Bay Community Hall to accommodate those affected. The hole left by the fire is significant, impacting both tourism and local businesses as the region grapples with one of its busiest seasons.
A message from VicEmergency emphasized: "If you left Blanket Bay campground, it is not safe to return. Be aware of potential dangerous bushfire and tree hazards." Residents are encouraged to enact fire safety plans and remain vigilant, as weather conditions may change rapidly.
Local forecasters predict no major weather shifts but stress the unpredictable nature of bushfire behavior. Chris Hardman affirmed the determination of the firefighting crews, noting, "The crews are working really hard and are going to contain the fire … and hopefully get on top of this really quickly.