RETIREMENT home residents have bunkered down and hoped for the best as fires headed towards Yackandandah.
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Staff decided not to evacuate the 67 residents, including one aged 106, from Yackandandah Health in Isaacs Avenue on Sunday.
Chief executive Annette Nuck said everyone had stayed calm during the ordeal.
“We have got a plan that if there was an immediate fire risk, everyone would go into the high-care unit,” she said.
“We had water sprayed on that.
“We didn’t have enough time to get appropriate transport to get everyone out.
“The decision to stay was in the best interests of our elderly residents.
“All the research shows it’s a lot harder for them.
“I think it was a good decision.”
Ms Nuck said there was only one route out of town as the road to Beechworth was blocked.
She kept family members informed of the developments.
“I’m amazed at how calm the situation was,” she said.
“Everyone pulled together, did their job and remained calm.
“It was a really good atmosphere.”
Staff had worked on their days off to help out the residents and others stayed after their shifts had finished.
“We have a really comprehensive plan in place for fires,” Ms Nuck said.
“We put that into action and managed very well.”
Yackatoon Retirement Village resident manager Alex Campbell said the 32 residents at the facility had all decided to stay.
“The rain has been good but before that it was very smokey,” he said.
“It wasn’t pleasant.
“It wasn’t scary and there wasn’t any panic.
“It’s their choice, but I can make recommendations about whether they leave or stay.”
Mr Campbell said nearly all residents have their own vehicles and those who don’t have family members nearby.
“They thought they were safer here than anywhere else,” he said.
Mr Campbell was relieved after the fire threat passed.
