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Update On Gippsland Fires

The two fires in Gippsland at Blue Rock dam, Tanjil South and near Neerim South are still causing problems for firefighters as erratic winds make conditions difficult to suppress the fires.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 15th April 2004 - Back to News

At Blue Rock, the fire has jumped Bull Beef Creek on the northern part of the eastern flank. Fire behaviour is described as moderate to extreme and the fire size is now 1150 hectares.

There are 136 DSE and CFA firefighters on this fire, supported by 12 tankers, five slip-on units, two dozers and two aircraft.

Incident Controller, Geoff Kennedy said that the strategy at the moment is to plan and prepare further control lines from which to attack the fire.

"A wind change is now pushing this fire away from private property and back into state forest," Mr Kennedy said.

"There are currently no private assets under threat."

The fire at Patrol Road, seven kilometres east of Neerim South is now 170 hectares in size. The southern end of the fire is now described as "benign" and is currently not threatening any private assets. Residents in the area are still advised to stay alert and have their bushfire plans ready to activate.

This fire has 100 personnel, 12 tankers, seven slip-on units and four dozers and one aircraft working on it.

The fire area at Flaggy Creek near Bairnsdale has been contained, but still has 29 firefighters, one tanker, five slip-on units, two dozers and an aircraft working on blacking out and patrolling the fire area.

Incident Controller, Anne Geary asked the community to stay alert to fire conditions for the next few hours.

"We're patrolling the fire area and also monitoring recent fuel reduction burn areas at Watts Creek and Blacks Camp," Ms Geary said.

"Fire teams are on full alert for potential spotovers with the expected strong northerly winds ahead of the change expected early this afternoon."

"Landholders and residents in the Flaggy Creek area south of Coxes Boundary Track and Watts Creek Boundary Track should continue to activate their bushfire plans and stay alert for embers and spotting on their properties."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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