Solidarity with those affected by the devastating Grampians fire.
Victoria has faced one of its most dangerous fire days in years, with authorities evacuating people from areas in central and western regions. For more than a week, a fire has been burning in the Grampians National Park, with more than 74,000 hectares of bushland, roughly the size of Singapore, being scorched. “Considerable environmental damage” has been done and while thankfully no deaths have been reported and no houses had been lost yet, as of last night, the fires are still burning and this emergency is not yet over, with emergency management stating, they “wouldn’t be surprised” if houses were lost through this fire.
In February 2024, we wrote about Grampians communities experiencing out-of-control fires after what was the worst day for fire conditions since the Black Summer. Only nine months later, the Grampians has again faced "the worst bushfire conditions since 2019’s Black Summer".
In addition to wide environmental damage and large number of wildlife affected, the fire has damaged crops and beehives, reports from farmers indicate 100s of kms of fencing burnt and stock losses, and downed powerlines and towers providing mobile networks for emergency services, as well as Optus and NBN services.
The impact of bushfire smoke should not be underestimated. Smoke from the Black Summer bushfires killed nearly 450 people and affected 80 per cent of the population. It harms human health even when the fire is burning hundreds of miles away. It can exacerbate health conditions like asthma and reduce lung function in ways that can worsen existing respiratory problems and even heart disease. If you’re in a susceptible group, decrease your exposure to smoke in the air.
And the mental health impacts should also not be underestimated. This includes that of those directly impacted by the bushfires through having to evacuate, loss of property, or their travel being impacted, as well as people not directly impacted by a bushfire event. People living thousands of kilometres away also experience solastalgia and poor mental health following bushfires.
Solidarity through mutual aid ensures that we support communities directly during climate disasters. Here is a collection of resources and some grassroots initiatives you can support, as well as support available for those affected.
Mutual aid, local resources and calls for support
[please send additions for this list to: [email protected]]
- The Halls Gap Community and Visitors Facebook page is a space where people are sharing information and offering support to others.
- BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after disasters such as fires. It will have a basecamp set up for the Grampians fire. The camp location confirmed has been confirmed as Willaura and is now open for volunteers: more info here. Donations and volunteers being sought. Donate here and email [email protected] to volunteer.
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GoFundMes:
- Help Hamilton Wildlife Shelter: Fundraising to support wildlife following the Grampians bushfire. Donations will go towards distributing fuel vouchers for our rescuers who’ll travel vast distances for animals in need, buying milk formulas for orphans, supplements and food for other animals, covering expensive vet bills, and infrastructure like enclosures if needed.
- Help Wildwood Wildlife Shelter: Donations received will support wildlife who manage to survive. The sanctuary is a 'release site' for so many species, meaning that many animals across the entire Grampians region come to it in their final stages of rehabilitation to be given a second chance at freedom.
- Help Halls Gap Zoo: The fires caused damage to the zoo's surrounding environment and severely impacted its ability to operate and care for its animals.
Check for more Australian Bushfire GoFundMes here
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Donate directly to a specific CFA brigade. There is a drop down option to choose a local brigade, including the following:
- GRAMPIANS FIRE BRIGADE GROUP (31259)
- POMONAL FIRE BRIGADE (16365)
- HALLS GAP FIRE BRIGADE (16209)
- DADSWELLS BRIDGE FIRE BRIGADE (16187)
- ARARAT FIRE BRIGADE (16015) & ARARAT FIRE BRIGADE GROUP (33189)
- GIVIT Rural supplies / voucher appeal: Seeking rural vouchers or supplies such as hay or feed and fencing equipment that is desperately needed by farmers when the fire jumped from the park to private properties.
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Bushfire Wildlife Rescue & Support: Seeking items to donate to wildlife shelters and carers and vets in and around the fire area for burnt, injured and orphaned wildlife. Items can be sent to P.O. Box 5451, North Geelong, VIC, 3216 or dropped off at 87 Ruhamah Ave, Bell Post Hill, VIC, 3215. Items to donate to help wildlife carers are:
- towels, blankets, pillowcases etc
- disinfectant
- disposal gloves
- antibacterial wipes
- wound dressings, gauze, vetwrap etc
- fuel vochures
- Cole / Woolworths vochures (fresh vegetables)
- 1ml, 3ml and 5ml syringes
- tissues, paper towels
- washing powder, dishwashing liquid
- Lucas paw paw ointment
- Bepanthem, Betadin etc
Check for more donation requests being posted here: www.givit.org.au
The Commons librarians have gathered the following general resources to support community responses to Australian bushfires and other disasters: https://commonslibrary.org/resources-for-disaster-relief-and-recovery/
Support for those impacted
[please send additions for this list to: [email protected]]
- Those in the area may experience intermittent communications coverage from mobile network towers. Ensure you have a battery powered radio (and spare batteries) or use your car radio to stay tuned to news services to receive updates on weather conditions and emergency guidance.
Find your local emergency broadcaster here.
- The Victorian Government has opened the Personal Hardship Assistance Program for Victorians who live in an evacuation warning area to help with essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation. Call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 to apply.
- A team from Sikh Volunteers Australia is heading to the Grampians bushfire affected area with meals and essential supplies.
- BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after disasters such as fires. It expects to have a basecamp set up soon for the Grampians fire - location yet to be confirmed. If you have been affected by these fires and would like assistance with your property, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling Melissa on 0436316955.
- Agricultural impacts from the fires in and around Grampians National Park: If your property has been impacted and you have urgent animal welfare needs, contact the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
- If you find an injured animal impacted by a bushfire, report it to DEECA by calling 136 186 or via the Wildlife Emergency App at wildlife.ffm.vic.gov.au.
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If you have any immediate relief needs, speak to your local council at an Emergency Relief Centre or on the phone. Emergency Relief Centres are open at:
- Alexandra Oval Community Centre - 1 Waratah Ave, Ararat VIC 3377. Pets are welcome, but must be on a lead.
- Grampians Community Health - 22 Patrick Street Stawell VIC 3380. Pets are welcome, but must be on a lead.
- Monivae College - 133 Ballarat Rd, Hamilton VIC 3300. Enter via Hiller Lane. Pets are welcome, but must be caged or on a lead. Large animals such as horses and livestock can be brought to the Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange (HRLX) - 105 Portland Road, Hamilton.
- Skipton Recreation Reserve - 15 Smythe Street, Skipton VIC 3361. Pets are welcome, but must be on a lead.
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Community meetings: Recordings of the community meetings for the Grampians fire are available on Ararat Rural City Council and Northern Grampians Shire Council Facebook pages.
Up to date relief and recovery information available on the VicEmergency website
📱 Download the VicEmergency app (iPhone, Android)
📞 Call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226
📻 Listen to ABC Local Radio - find your local emergency broadcaster here
It is clear that climate change is leading to longer and more intense fire seasons.
Friends of the Earth believes that impacted communities need to be play a pivotal role in the conversations about climate disaster solutions.
Our Act on Climate collective is campaigning for climate adaptation solutions such as funding for local communities to build resilience to locked-in climate impacts. A responsible government should ensure that its citizens are safe by enabling communities to do everything possible to prepare for these impacts, such as worsening fires. Input about what is most needed in your local area is valued and welcomed.
If you have been affected, email [email protected] with input about what your community needs, and any requests for material support and/or the amplification of local needs.
We are thinking of those affected during this challenging time.