Pitch Music & Arts Festival Punters Advised to Evacuate Due to Extreme Fire Danger

Punters at the Pitch Music & Arts Festival in Moyston, Victoria have been advised to evacuate the festival grounds following an Extreme Fire Danger warning issued by the Country Fire Authority (CFA).

The CFA received updated forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, indicating an Extreme Fire Danger Rating for the South West Weather District on Saturday, March 9, 2024, which includes the festival site. Additionally, a Total Fire Ban has been declared for the area.

In light of the heightened fire risk and the extreme conditions expected – characterized by hot, dry, and windy weather – the CFA strongly recommends that individuals already present at the festival leave the site either on Friday night or early Saturday morning.

Punters planning to arrive on Saturday have been urged to delay their travel until further notice to ensure their safety. While there are currently no active fires in the region, the CFA advises caution and prompt action in response to the Extreme Fire Danger Rating.

Alongside the fire risk, the Department of Health has issued a heat wave warning for the weekend, adding to the potential challenges faced by festival attendees. Updates and advisories are available on the Emergency Vic website for ongoing monitoring of the situation.

The festival organizers have also announced rescheduling of some music programming in light of the evolving circumstances and the need to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.

Notably, festival-goers have expressed concerns about communication challenges, with reports of limited phone signal on-site, raising worries about the transmission of crucial information to family and friends off-site.

Despite the ongoing festival activities, some attendees have questioned the decision not to cancel or postpone the event in response to the fire risk, prompting discussions around contingency plans, refunds, and safeguarding measures in the event of an emergency.

Furthermore, the festival’s charitable initiatives, such as donations generated from food sales at the Community BBQ to aid the bushfire-affected community of Pomonal, have emphasized the importance of community support and solidarity amid challenging circumstances.

Notable artists featured in the festival lineup include Aurora Halal, Bailey Ibbs, Cakes Da Killa, Chaos in the CBD, Gerd Janson, KiNK, Mark Blair, SHERELLE, Special Request, and VTSS, among many others, representing a diverse array of electronic music talent.