Conditions improve as warnings downgraded in west Vic.
The bushfire threat in Victoria's west is easing today, as assessment teams prepare to determine how many properties have been lost in the towns of Bellfield and nearby Pomonal.
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00:00 I'm in Stoll. This is a town a few kilometres east of Halls Gap and Pomona. Pomona in particular
00:08 was the town that was hit most strongly by the fires overnight and on an ongoing basis
00:13 this morning. There's an estimated 50 people who've been evacuated from Pomona here at
00:19 this relief centre and several more, perhaps many more, at another relief centre south
00:24 of here in Ararat. They've been given beds, they're enjoying a fish and chip lunch now
00:29 courtesy of the Salvation Army. So things are looking somewhat positive for the people
00:33 here but the fact remains a lot of properties have been lost including homes. Further north
00:38 there's another fire that is still somewhat alive but perhaps less dangerously so near
00:44 the community of Dadswell Bridge. In fact I spoke to a landholder a few kilometres north
00:49 of Dadswell Bridge this morning. Let's have a listen to what he has to say. Fortunately
00:54 this time we didn't get attacked but neighbours that missed it all in 14 got it this time.
01:02 So I don't know whether that's Murphy's Law or luck but it has severely affected us 10
01:09 years ago. We were burnt pretty much out except infrastructure and the fire brigade and the
01:14 SES were amazing. Nothing but praise for all those sort of fellas and ladies. There's a
01:18 lot of ladies amongst them too. So which warnings remain in place Angus? So both of these fires
01:29 were subject to stay hunker down alerts this morning. Those have been downgraded to watch
01:35 and act alerts which means people should certainly remain vigilant. There are flames and trees
01:41 that are at danger of falling down over large parts of the eastern and northern Grampians.
01:46 Let's have a listen to what authorities have to say as to the specific alerts and specific
01:50 advice people should be following right now. Hot, windy and dry conditions together with
01:58 dry lightning strikes right across the state caused a lot of work, resulted in a lot of
02:05 work for our agencies with many fires started from those lightning strikes. Almost all fires
02:10 were started from the lightning strikes that we're aware of. Our focus continues to be
02:13 on protecting life and property. Those fire areas still are risks of trees falling and
02:19 branches falling so there are impact assessments underway to understand the extent of the damage
02:25 that's occurred and also ensure that it's safe for people to return to their homes.
02:34 So as we can see here in store at the relief centre, 50 people being looked after. They
02:39 are certainly bruised, a little battered but not defeated.
02:43 [BLANK_AUDIO]