TOTAL FIRE BAN IN VICTORIA JUST DAYS AFTER GRASS FIRE IN STRATHTULLOH
By: Matthew Younan
Date: 4/1/2025
A total fire ban has been declared for parts of the state as temperatures are forecast to soar for the first weekend of 2025.
With temperatures set to reach 38 degrees, authorities have announced the ban will be in place for the Wimmera and Southwest districts on Saturday, prohibiting all open-air fires.
Most of the state is set to swelter in the extreme heat, with the mercury expected to reach 37 degrees on Saturday and 38 degrees on Sunday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of a heatwave to hit over the weekend, with a cool change not expected until Monday morning.
It comes just days after a grass and scrub fire broke out in Westbourne Street, Strathtulloh near Melton.
Fire Rescue Victoria and CFA firefighters responded to the incident at 7.46pm on Wednesday, 1 January 2025 after a caller to Triple Zero (000) reported a spreading fire.
The grassfire blaze created large amounts of smoke, and nearby residents were evacuated by Victoria Police.
Fireys battled hard and the fire was declared under control at 9.09pm.
No one was injured in the blaze, but police said they were investigating the cause of the grass fire.
Residents across Melton are calling for an end to youth knife crime.
News Now reporter Matthew Younan has the latest.
#MeltonNewsNow #MelbourneNews #YouthKnifeCrime #Melton #CommunitySafety #EndYouthViolence #violenceisnottheanswer
Issued Today at 4:56 PM.
This Watch and Act message is being issued for Bullengarook.
There is a grassfire at Coffeys Rd, Bullengarook that is not yet under control.
Staying close to a building where you can shelter is the safest option, as conditions can change suddenly.
Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
What you should do:
Monitor changes, including increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility that indicates the situation is changing.
If you are away from home, do not return.
If the situation changes you will need to leave quickly. Plan to:
Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
Impacts in your area:
Grassfires can start and spread quickly, and are extremely dangerous.
Firefighters are attending to this fire and will remain in the area.
Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
This message was issued by Country Fire Authority.
The next update is expected by 20/12/2024 07:00 pm or as the situation changes.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Melton Highway is closed Between Mt Cottrell Rd and Ryan's lane due to a two car head on crash.
Melton News Now recommends avoiding the area.
POLICE CONTINUE SEARCH FOR STOLEN CAR
By: Editorial Team
Date: 26/11/2024
Police are investigating after a stolen car refused to stop for officers and was driven erratically across Melton this afternoon.
Patrolling officers spotted the white Holden Commodore near Barries Road around 3:20pm.
With the assistance of the airwing, police followed the vehicle as it drove erratically and at one point mounted a kerb to avoid stop sticks in Brookfield.
The Holden was also observed driving into oncoming traffic on West Melton Drive and James Cook Drive in Melton West.
It’s then understood that the car sped off doing an estimated 100km/h in a 60km/h zone along High Street.
Safety concerns meant that officers withdrew from following the vehicle.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV footage that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
ALL WARNINGS HAVE NOW BEEN CANCELED!
PREVIOUSLY:
Issued Today at 4:19 PM.
This Watch and Act message is being issued for Toolern Vale, between Gisborne-Melton Road and Ryans Lane.
There is a grassfire at Ryans Lane, Toolern Vale that is not yet under control.
This grassfire is travelling in a south-westerly direction from Ryans Lane towards the equestrian centre.
Staying close to a building where you can shelter is the safest option, as conditions can change suddenly.
Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
What you should do:
Monitor changes, including increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility that indicates the situation is changing.
If you are away from home, do not return.
Enact your fire survival plan.
If the situation changes you will need to leave quickly. Plan to:
Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area.
Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
Impacts in your area:
Grassfires can start and spread quickly, and are extremely dangerous.
This message was issued by Country Fire Authority.
The next update is expected by 09/11/2024 06:20 pm or as the situation changes.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: - via PTV -
Services have resumed between Wyndham Vale and Footscray. We anticipate delays of up to 60 minutes following an earlier incident requiring emergency services.
Coaches continue to support trains services between Wyndham Vale and Footscray due to a incident requiring emergency services between Wyndham and Footscray.
Coaches have been dispatched to Wyndham Vale, Caroline Springs, and Sunbury. We anticipate coaches to be in operation until further notice with an extended journey time of up to 90 minutes.
RIDE SHARE DRIVER ATTACKED IN TERRIFYING INCIDENT
By: Editorial Team
Date: 22/9/2024
Police have launched an investigating into an attempted carjacking and armed robbery this morning.
According to police, the victim, a 34 year old Airport west man, who is a ride share driver, picked up two men at an unknown location between Sayers and Leaks roads in Tarneit around 12.35am this morning.
The two men instructed the victim to drive to Sheahan Road in Rockbank.
It’s understood that that’s when one of the men produced a knife and made demands for the victim’s phone, cash and vehicle.
Police say that it’s understood a scuffle then broke out between the two men and the victim.
The victim sustained an injury to his hands.
The victim fled the scene in his vehicle, driving to the intersection of Sheahan and Hopkins roads, where he flagged down a passerby.
The two offenders fled the scene on foot with the victim’s phone.
The K-9 unit was called in, with a knife found in nearby parkland.
Police say that despite a thorough search of the area, the offenders couldn’t be located.
Both of the males were wearing black clothing, and are described as being islander in appearance, with a solid build, approximately 175cms and aged in their early 20’s.
The 34 year old victim was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police have confirmed that the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
TRAFFIC ALERT: A crash is right now affecting traffic along Coburns Road.
The road is closed between West Melton Drive and Centenary Avenue.
Melton News Now recommends avoiding the area as emergency services work to clear the scene.
More to come.
VICTORIA POLICE ISSUES URGENT ROAD SAFETY WARNING AS FATALITIES REACH 173
By: Editorial Team
Date: 10/8/2024
Victoria Police has made an urgent appeal to all road users as the state's road toll reaches 173, matching last year's tragic total.
Six lives have been lost in the past 10 days, with excessive speed and driver impairment remaining leading causes of fatal and serious injury collisions.
Motorcyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, with 42 motorcyclists killed this year, up from 23 at the same time in 2023.
Pedestrian fatalities have also increased, with 29 deaths recorded, thats compared to 22 deaths at the same time last year.
Operation Eastern Snow, a recent month long police operation which focused on the eastern alpine areas, detected over 500 offences, with speed contributing to nearly half.
Victoria Police are urging all road users to be vigilant, stick to speed limits, avoid driving under the influence or distracted, and plan ahead.
Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir highlighted the need for caution, saying, "If you're using a road in Victoria this weekend, slow down and be aware of your surroundings.”
He added, “We're seeing a distressing number of preventable deaths and serious injury collisions.”
“We don't want to repeat last year's catastrophic road toll, but if we continue at this rate, it will be similar or worse."
In a press conference Mr Weir revealed that there has also been a rise in the number of people not wearing seatbelts.
As the weather begins to start warming up and the events calendar becomes full police will be out in force.
