FIREFIGHTERS will call in air support today to battle a spreading bushfire in the Grampians National Park.
Helicopters will fly in from Colac and Ballarat to dump 12,500 litres of water on the blaze, which has spread to more than 160ha in the state’s west.
Department of Sustainability and Environment state duty officer Darrin McKenzie said difficult terrain in the south-western corner of the park made the inferno tricky to combat from the ground.
“It’s quite steep and rocky, which is presenting difficulties for us in getting to areas in there,” Mr McKenzie said.
He said the fire, billowing smoke over parts of the state’s west, was caused by a lightning strike yesterday afternoon.
Mr McKenzie said while the fire was spreading, there was no risk to communities or holidaymakers.
“All the major attractions of the park are still accessible to visitors,” he said.
“We’re pretty confident with the mild (weather) conditions over the next couple of days we should be able to round it up.”
Meanwhile a grass fire triggered by a burning car has been brought under control by CFA crews in the state’s north.
It took 20 crews to battle the grass fire on Rockcliff Rd, near Strathmerton, which spread to 17ha late yesterday afternoon.
CFA spokesman Keith Pakenham said a burnt car was found at what was believed to be the point of origin.
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