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.