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Update On Bogong Complex Fires, 1700 Hrs 23/01/03

Fire plans underway, in preperation for the development of the fire situation

By DSE/CFA - 24th January 2003 - Back to News

Residents in the high country town of Omeo and surrounding districts have spent today preparing their fire plans, attending community meetings and cleaning up around their homes and properties as they wait to see how the fire situation develops.

A mild, calm day has kept the situation quiet today, but Incident Controller Ben Rankin said that fire activity in the Shannonvale and Bundara Valley areas and on Mount Hotham is causing the most concern at the moment.

"The fires are not burning too fiercely today because of the milder conditions, but there is still a threat to property and we’re doing all we can to protect those at risk," Mr Rankin said.

Asset protection continues to be the main focus and is progressing well. Backburning east and west of Hotham resort is underway, 15kms of dozer works have been completed on the Twins Road, south east of Hotham and dozers are now returning to work on the Alpine Road. A mineral earth break 50 metres wide has been established around the town of Benambra.

CFA fire crews are patrolling affected areas, monitoring asset protection, checking water points and availability and working with DSE/DPI crews on mineral breaks, clearing and backburning.

Community meetings at Benambra, Swifts Creek and Dargo today, presented by DSE/DPI and CFA staff have kept residents up to date with the fire situation in their areas, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback to the agencies involved in the fire suppression effort.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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