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Update On Bogong Complex Fires

Smoke from Bogong fires affecting Melbourne

By DSE/CFA - 21st January 2003 - Back to News

Smoke from the huge fires in Victoria’s Alpine country has now reached as far as South Gippsland and Melbourne, causing people think that there may be fires in their own areas. The CFA has asked the public not to report fires unless they can see rising smoke and/or flames. The Bogong Complex fires are still 20kms north of Omeo and have burned over 60000 hectares.

The expected wind change in the high country has not yet eventuated, giving firefighters some respite and the opportunity to consolidate more containment lines to protect communities in the area.

The strike team that was with drawn from the Glen Valley area for safety reasons has been redeployed there to protect property in the area.

The remote high country community of Benambra is braced for the wind change, with those residents still in the area prepared to defend their properties, with assistance from CFA and DPI/DSE crews where available.

Should the situation arise, residents in the Swifts Creek, Ensay and Cassilis areas now have a refuge area at the Swifts Creek Secondary College.

The focus for all management teams and fire crews is firefighter safety, particularly when fire behaviour has proved to be so unpredictable and erratic.

Residents in affected areas are advised to implement their bushfire plans. Those who are unable or unprepared to stay and defend their properties should consider leaving for a place of safety early in the day, before conditions make it unsafe to do so.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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