Cape Otway bushfire alert: Victoria residents urged not to return or leave

• A bushfire in Cape Otway is moving towards Lighthouse Rd in Victoria.
• Victoria Emergency earlier warned residents it’s “too late to leave” and to “act immediately to survive”, but it has since been downgraded.
• People at the Blanket Bay Campground have been told it is “not safe to return or leave”.

Residents have been told it is “not safe to return or leave” as a bushfire burns in Victoria’s south.

A bushfire broke out at Blanket Bay Rd in Cape Otway on Wednesday morning, with the fire travelling westerly towards Lighthouse Rd.

About 11 hectares have been burned through as those at Blanket Bay Campground were warned “it’s not safe to return or leave” the campground.

“If you left Blanket Bay Campground, it is not safe to return,” a Victoria Emergency alert stated.

“Be aware of potential dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.”

This WATCH & ACT - BUSHFIRE -Not Safe to Return is for Blanket Bay Campground, Cape Otway.

If you left Blanket Bay Campground, it is Not Safe to Return. Be aware of potential dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.

More details https://t.co/DpDGDW6p63 pic.twitter.com/XJX6jlOqea

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 7, 2025

Those who have not left have been urged to stay where they are and “avoid dangerous bushfire and tree hazards”.

“Check you have enough food, drinking water and medications – if you do not, phone triple-0 (000) for assistance,” the alert stated.

An alert issued by VicEmergency earlier this morning warned residents to immediately seek shelter, but it has since been downgraded.

This EMERGENCY WARNING - BUSHFIRE - Take Shelter Now is for Cape Otway and Hordern Vale.

You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.

The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.

More details at https://t.co/3VS4HRjclz pic.twitter.com/X3MZhrraXI

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 7, 2025

In the warning issued earlier this morning, residents were told it was “too late to leave” and a warning to “act immediately to survive” was issued.

Those who have left have been advised not to return home until a safe to return notification is sent.

- Additional reporting by NZ Herald